Iranian Footballers Granted Australian Citizenship After Anthem Protest

Former Iranian national team footballers Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh received Australian citizenship on Wednesday after seeking protection following a protest during the Women’s Asian Cup in March.

The pair were among seven delegation members who requested asylum after refusing to sing the Iranian national anthem, a move that led to them being branded traitors by authorities in Tehran.

While the two players have joined the Brisbane Roar club, five other members of the original group returned to Iran, where they were welcomed by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.