On Tuesday evening, members of the Iranian women's national team who had not sought political asylum left Australia and headed to their homeland. However, this is not just news of "the delegation's return home" - the events around the team have turned into a truly dramatic scene in recent days.
It was previously reported that five of the team's players had left the hotel with the help of local police and were issued humanitarian visas by Australia. Later, reports emerged that two other athletes had also sought asylum. At the same time, it is said that one of the asylum recipients eventually changed his mind and chose to return to Iran anyway.
Wave of threats and protest
The situation has been exacerbated by harsh statements on Iranian state television. In particular, it was reported that the host Muhammad Reza Shahbozi strongly condemned the girls who did not sing the anthem, saying that "treachers should be treated more harshly during wartime." In the context of these discussions, the issue of athletes' safety has become even more "hot."
According to ESPN and other sources, the team's observation was accompanied by protests both in front of the hotel and around the airport. It is said that Iranians living in Australia expressed concern that there might be pressure on the athletes upon their return home and even attempted to prevent their departure.
"Last offer" at the airport
Sources indicate that while the players were crossing the Australian border, local officials and interpreters recalled each girl individually, without observers, and offered them political asylum. It is also reported that some girls called their relatives in Iran to discuss this issue. But in the end, the rest of the delegation did not want to stay in Australia and left.
In short, this event revealed much bigger topics than sports: safety, pressure, freedom of choice, and family factors. Now the main question is - what will happen to the players who returned to their homeland? This point still makes many people think.
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