Five Iranian female soccer players who would likely have faced persecution if they returned to Iran are now safe with police and claiming asylum in Australia, as Donald Trump praised the prime minister for being "on it".
The US president had earlier lashed out at Anthony Albanese, suggesting in a post on Truth Social that the women were being forced to leave Australia when they could be punished back in Iran.
After a conversation with the PM, however, Mr Trump added: "I just spoke to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, of Australia, concerning the Iranian National Women’s Soccer Team. He’s on it! Five have already been taken care of, and the rest are on their way.
"Some, however feel they must go back because they are worried about the safety of their families, including threats to those family members if they don't return."
The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet was contacted for comment.
Iranian women's national football team players Fatemeh Pasandideh, Zahra Ghanbari, Zahra Sarbali, Atefeh Ramazanzadeh and Mona Hamoudi refused to sing the national anthem before their opening match with South Korea at the Women's Asian Cup earlier this month.
Fears had been growing they would be targeted by the Iranian regime upon their return, after they were labelled "traitors" on Iranian state TV.
The American leader praised his Australian counterpart on "doing a very good job" in a "rather delicate situation".
Now, a family member of one of the athletes, who we have agreed not to name, and activists within the Iranian Australian community have told the ABC the players have evaded the team's handlers at their accommodation in the Gold Coast and are being protected by police in Queensland.
Mr Trump weighed in earlier, urging the prime minister to offer all of the team asylum.
"Australia is making a terrible humanitarian mistake by allowing the Iran National Woman’s Soccer team to be forced back to Iran, where they will most likely be killed. Don’t do it, Mr. Prime Minister, give ASYLUM. The U.S. will take them if you won’t," he said in a post on Truth Social.
Meanwhile, NSW Anti-slavery Commissioner, James Cockayne, called for police and government to urgently investigate potential modern slavery offences in relation to the rest of the team, claiming they are being coerced into returning to Iran.
He underlined reports which said the women were not allowed out of the hotel without chaperones and said they were denied freedom of speech and freedom of movement in Australia.
"It has been widely documented that the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran uses threats and intimidation against athletes, and their families, to coerce athletes and suppress political opposition," he said.
He added: "With the Iranian women’s football team facing imminent exit from Australia, I urge immediate action."
Confirming that five of the players had been able to leave their accommodation, one of the athlete's family members told the ABC: "I want to kiss the hands of everyone who helped".
"And I appreciate your sacrifices. Five of them are leaving the team to stay. I pray to god we all go back to a free Iran soon."
Exiled crown prince of Iran, Reza Pahlavi posted on Instagram that his office had "been informed that five players from the Iranian women's national football team had left the team's training camp".
"These five courageous athletes, currently in a safe location, have announced that they have joined Iran's national Lion and Sun Revolution," he said.
The post said the players had "successfully sought refuge in Australia".
The ABC has contacted the Australian Federal Police and Department of Home Affairs for comment.
Women should get visas, says commissioner
Dr Cockayne sent his letter on the grounds that the attempted coercion of the Iranian women’s football team to leave Australia could be a crime under Australian law.
The referral asked for an "immediate, trauma-informed investigation" as well as "initiation of the process to grant those affected suitable visas".
If granted, this could include Human Trafficking Visas.
In his referral, Dr Cockayne said there were "reports that members of the team have been actively hampered from speaking with Australian authorities".
"The international football players' union, FIFPRO, has expressed concern for the players’ safety, both here and should they return to Iran."
The letter was sent to the AFP and copied to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Attorney-General and Minister for Immigration.
