One Iranian football team member changes mind after Australia grants asylum

One member of the Iranian women’s football team who sought sanctuary in Australia has changed her mind after speaking with teammates, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke informed the Australian parliament.

The player, whose identity was being protected, changed her decision on the advice of her teammates, Burke revealed on Wednesday.

Burke told the parliament that he had since been advised one member of the group “had spoken to some of the teammates that left and changed their mind”.

“She had been advised by her teammates and encouraged to contact the Iranian embassy,” he said.

“As a result of that it meant the Iranian embassy now knew the location of where everybody was.” ---More...

Two people, one player and one member of the support team asked to stay in Australia & I signed the paperwork for them to be issued with humanitarian visas which were processed overnight.

— Tony Burke (@Tony_Burke)March 10, 2026

Two people, one player and one member of the support team asked to stay in Australia & I signed the paperwork for them to be issued with humanitarian visas which were processed overnight.