{"id":237837,"date":"2026-08-06T03:55:27","date_gmt":"2026-08-06T03:55:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/237837\/"},"modified":"2026-08-06T03:55:27","modified_gmt":"2026-08-06T03:55:27","slug":"iranian-footballers-who-defied-tehran-now-officially-australian-citizens","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/237837\/","title":{"rendered":"Iranian footballers who defied Tehran now officially Australian citizens"},"content":{"rendered":"

Two Iranian footballers who made world headlines<\/a> for defying Tehran are now Australian citizens.<\/p>\n

The geopolitical stoush began when they refused to sing the Islamic Republic\u2019s national anthem at the women\u2019s Asian Cup this year.<\/p>\n

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Iranian footballers granted Australian citizenship after defecting<\/p>\n

Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Arrow<\/a><\/p>\n

But as their teammates left the tournament, they defected, remaining here on humanitarian visas.<\/a><\/p>\n

Months after being branded as \u201cwartime traitors\u201d, they can now call Australia home, having been granted citizenship on Wednesday.<\/p>\n

Atefeh Ramezanisadeh and Fatemeh Pasandideh expressed their gratitude back in April after accepting an offer to stay in Australia following\u00a0Iran\u2019s controversial Asian Cup campaign.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe compassion and support shown to us during this challenging time has provided us with hope for a future where we can live and compete in safety,\u201d they said in a joint statement at the time.<\/p>\n

The duo were among seven Iranian squad members \u2014 six players and a support staff member \u2014 who sparked a diplomatic furore when\u00a0they were granted humanitarian visas to remain in Australia\u00a0following their Asian Cup campaign in March.<\/p>\n

There were fears for the team\u2019s safety on their return to Iran after they were labelled \u201cwartime traitors\u201d on the country\u2019s state media for refusing to sing the national anthem before their opening Asian Cup match.<\/p>\n

Five squad members later withdrew their asylum claims and returned to Iran.<\/p>\n

Pasandideh and Ramezanisadeh on Friday thanked the Australian government for providing a \u201csafe haven in this beautiful country\u201d, singling out Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke for granting humanitarian protection.<\/p>\n

They also saluted Home Affairs staff support, saying they had been overwhelmed by the generosity of Australia\u2019s Iranian community as they entered the next chapter of their lives.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour support has made us feel welcome and less alone as we navigate this transition,\u201d they said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt this stage, our primary focus is on our safety, our health and beginning the process of rebuilding our lives.\u201d<\/p>\n

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