Iranian women's soccer team players return to Iran, according to Fars agency
Amid controversy and fears of possible reprisals in Iran, seven members of the team requested humanitarian asylum in Australia, but five eventually retracted over the following days, leaving only two in the southern country.
TL;DR
- The Iranian women's soccer team returned to Iran through the Bazargan border with Turkey.
- Several players had sought asylum in Australia after not singing the national anthem during a match in the Asian Cup.
- Five of the seven players who initially requested asylum later withdrew their requests.
- Two players remain in Australia seeking asylum.
- The team's participation in the Asian Cup marked their first since 2002 and was celebrated by gender equality activists.