AUSTRALIA (TNND) — One of the seven members of Iran’s women’s national soccer team who had been granted asylum in Australia has decided to return home, forcing officials to urgently relocate the remaining six players after she disclosed their secret location to the Iranian embassy.
The player was one of two who had accepted a humanitarian visa on Tuesday. After being reunited with teammates who had already chosen to leave Australia, she reversed her decision, according to Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke.
“Unfortunately, in making that decision, she’d been advised by her teammates and coach to contact the Iranian embassy and to get collected,” Burke explained. “I immediately gave the instruction for people to be moved.”
Earlier Tuesday, Burke confirmed he had traveled to Brisbane and Sydney on Monday in case any other members wanted to join the five who originally sought assistance.
After being reunited with her teammates, one of the women changed her mind.
The announcement followed days of urging by Iranian groups in Australia and by resident Donald Trump for the Australian government to help the women after Iranian state media referred to the athletes as “wartime traitors” for not singing the national anthem before their opening match of the Asian Cup.
Iran reacted angrily to Australia intervening in the team’s return home, with the head of the Iranian Football Federation saying the players had been taken “hostage” and directly referencing Trump.
“He tweeted that they should all take asylum, and that if five of them stay, then the rest stay too. Then he threatened Australia that if they don’t give them asylum, he will give them US asylum,” Mehdi Taj said in a video shared by Iranian state media.
Some members of the squad — separate from those granted visas — were not offered asylum after officials said they had connections to Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard (IRGC).
“There were some people leaving Australia who I am glad they’re no longer in Australia,” Burke said.
The Asian Football Confederation, which organized the tournament, confirmed Wednesday that the squad had traveled from Sydney to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where they were staying in a hotel.
“The AFC will provide all necessary support to the team during their stay until their onward travel arrangements are confirmed,” a statement said, adding that the body would continue to prioritize “the welfare and safety of the players and officials.”
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Editor’s note: The Associated Press contributed to this article.