The Iranian women’s soccer team left Malaysia on Monday night for Oman, ending days of uncertainty after five of the seven squad members who sparked a diplomatic furor by seeking asylum in Australia reversed their decisions and rejoined the team in Kuala Lumpur.
The squad spent several hours at the airport checking in and waiting for their flight.
They declined to speak to reporters. Some chatted while others used their mobile phones.
A lone player knelt several times and prayed on a mat before boarding the plane. Iran embassy staff at the airport also refused to comment.
The Asian Football Confederation general secretary, Windsor John, earlier told The Associated Press the team’s departure was arranged by the Iranian embassy.
He said the AFC, which is supporting the Iranian team in Kuala Lumpur, was told they are flying to Oman, but that isn’t their final destination.
He said he wasn’t aware of their full travel plans.
Asked if the confederation is satisfied that the women will be safe back in Iran, Windsor said the AFC and FIFA will check up on them regularly with the Iranian football federation “as they are our girls as well.”
Requests for asylum, and changes of heart
The squad flew from Sydney to Kuala Lumpur on March 10 after being knocked out of the Women’s Asian Cup in Australia, initially leaving behind six players and a support staff member who had accepted protection visas, which allow those who arrived on a valid visa and want to seek asylum in Australia to stay in the country permanently.
Four players and the staffer have since rejoined the team in Kuala Lumpur, the latest flying in on Monday. No reasons have been given for the changes of heart.
The Iranian diaspora in Australia blames pressure from Tehran.
The vice president of the Australian-Iranian Society of Victoria, Kambiz Razmara, said the women who accepted asylum had been under pressure from the Iranian regime.
“They’ve had to make decisions at the spur of the moment with very little information and they’ve had to react to the circumstance,” Razmara said.
“I’m surprised that they’ve decided to go, but I’m actually not surprised because I appreciate the pressures that they’re experiencing.”
(PBS)
