Two players for Iranian women’s football team granted Australian citizenship

Two players for the Iranian women’s national football team have been granted Australian citizenship following their asylum requests last year.

Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh were sworn in as Australian citizens by Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke in a ceremony in Brisbane on Wednesday.

Team members were labelled “traitors” by the Iranian regime in March this year after they stayed silent during the national anthem in their first match at the Women’s Asian Cup.

After concerns were raised for their safety, the Australian government offered the whole team humanitarian visas.

Six players and a member of staff initially sought asylum in Australia, but reversed their decision.

Ramezanisadeh and Pasandideh thanked the Australian government for providing a “safe haven in this beautiful country”, according to Channel 7.

Iranian football team at the Women’s Asian Cup in Australia in March. / Credit: AP

They thanked Burke for granting humanitarian protection and said they have been overwhelmed by the generosity of Australia’s Iranian community.

They said: “Your support has made us feel welcome and less alone as we navigate this transition.

“At this stage, our primary focus is on our safety, our health and beginning the process of rebuilding our lives.”

The Iranian team arrived in Australia before the war began on February 28.

During the tournament, the women had mostly declined to comment on the situation, although forward Sara Didar choked back tears in a news conference as she shared their concerns for their families and all Iranians.

The Iranian team drew international news coverage after the players’ silence during the anthem, with some viewing it as an act of resistance and others as a show of mourning.

They later sang and saluted during the anthem before their remaining two matches.