Trump says Iranian women footballers receive asylum in Australia

Donald Trump announced that five players from the Iranian women's national football team currently in Australia have been granted asylum by the government in Canberra.

In a post on social media, Trump said he discussed the safety of the Iranian footballers during a phone call with Anthony Albanese, CE Report quotes Anadolu Agency.

Trump stated that procedures had begun for some of the players to remain in Australia and confirmed that five athletes were granted asylum and issued the necessary visas.

He also noted that some players chose to return to Iran due to concerns about the safety of their families.

Australian Prime Minister Albanese also confirmed in a post on the social media platform of the U.S.-based company X that five players from the Iranian women’s national team had received humanitarian visas and were safe in Australia.

The Iranian team had traveled to Australia to participate in the AFC Women's Asian Cup.

Before one of their matches, the players remained silent while the Iranian national anthem was played, a move that sparked backlash in Iran.

In the following two matches, the Iranian players sang their national anthem. After their final match, they reportedly asked officials to ensure their safety. Five players later left the team delegation to seek asylum and were taken to a secure location by police.

A day earlier, Trump had written on social media that Australia would be making a “terrible humanitarian mistake” if it allowed the players to return to Iran, where he claimed they could face serious danger. He urged Prime Minister Albanese to grant them asylum, adding that if Australia refused, the United States would accept them.