Three Iranian women's soccer players to return home from Australia despite asylum offers, councillor says
Authored by sportsite777.com, Mar 15, 2026
SYDNEY - Three of six Iranian women's national soccer team players who had accepted asylum offers in Australia plan to return to Iran, Tina Kordrostami, a councillor for the City of Ryde, said in an interview on Fox News Channel's "Fox Report With Jon Scott" on Saturday.[1]
Kordrostami described the development as an "upsetting update" and attributed the decision to intimidation and direct communication from the Iranian regime, including threats to family members. She stated that families have been detained and some members are missing.[1]
The players are competing at the 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup, which Australia is hosting for the first time after being awarded the rights by the Asian Football Confederation in July 2023.[2][3]
Kordrostami expressed concern for the returning players' safety, noting that breaking an athletic contract in Iran can carry severe penalties, potentially including the death penalty.[1]
Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke announced on Tuesday that another Iranian women's soccer player and a team staffer had accepted asylum offers. The offers were extended individually to players and staff at an airport customs area, away from Iranian officials.[1]
The Iranian team had refused to sing their national anthem before an opening match against South Korea on March 2, 2026, an action viewed by some as a protest.[1]
Iran head coach Marziyeh Jafari was quoted by Australia's national news agency as saying the team wants to return to Iran as soon as possible.[1]
Tina Kordrostami is a Liberal councillor representing the West Ward on Ryde City Council.[4]
Sources
- Fox News, "Australia City Councilor Tina Kordrostami discusses the threats and difficult decisions Iranian female soccer players are facing on ‘Fox Report.’", March 9, 2026, https://www.foxnews.com/sports
- The-AFC.com, "Australia to host 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup", 17 July 2023, https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/w_asian_cup/news/australia_to_host_2026_afc_womens_asian_cup.html
- Reuters, "Australia to host women's Asian Cup in 2026", 17 July 2023, https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/australia-host-womens-asian-cup-2026-2023-07-17/
- Ryde City Council, "Councillors", accessed October 2024, https://www.ryde.nsw.gov.au/Council/Councillors