Australia has granted citizenship to two former members of Iran’s women’s national soccer team who sought asylum in the country.
Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh were sworn in as Australian citizens on Wednesday.
In a statement, they thanked the community in Brisbane and supporters across Australia for the opportunity to build new lives.
In March, members of Iran’s women’s soccer team refused to sing their national anthem at an Asian Cup tournament in Australia.
With concerns they could face punishment if they returned home, the Australian government granted visas to seven team members who wished to stay.
Five of them later changed their minds and returned to Iran.