Five Iranian footballers granted asylum in Australia

Australia has granted asylum to five players in Iran's women's football team over fears they faced persecution if they returned home, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has said.

"They are welcome to stay in Australia, and they are safe here, and should feel at home here," Mr Burke told reporters.

Players refused to sing Iran's national anthem during a tournament match in Australia last week, widely seen as an act of defiance against the Islamic republic.

The players were reported to be in police protection in Australia after seeking asylum following the squad's exit from the Asian Cup tournament.

Iran's semi-official Fars news agency said the women secretly left their hotel base, on the Gold Coast in Queensland, with police.

Australia's SBS News said the five were under the protection of Australian Federal Police, seeking assistance from the government.

The broadcaster said that government sources had confirmed the reports, adding that Australia's Home Affairs Minister had flown to Brisbane to meet the women.

The players were described as "wartime traitors" for refusing to sing their national anthem before a match against South Korea last Monday.

Their decision to stand in silence was described as the "pinnacle of dishonour" by a commentator on Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting.

"Traitors during wartime must be dealt with more severely," Mohammad Reza Shahbazi said.

The Iranians' campaign in the Asian Cup started just after the US and Israel launched air strikes on Iran, killing supreme leader Ali Khamenei.

They sang the anthem and saluted before their second match against Australia, sparking fears among human rights campaigners that the women had been coerced by government minders.

Iran exited the tournament yesterday after losing 2-0 to the Philippines.

Fans waved the pre-1979 Iranian flag, booed the national anthem, and tried to prevent their coach from leaving the stadium afterwards, chanting "save our girls!" amid concerns for their safety.

More than 66,000 people signed a petition calling on the Australian government to ensure the squad members do not leave "while credible fears for their safety remain".

FIFPRO, the global union representing soccer players, had expressed serious concerns for the welfare of the players and staff.

Iranian media quoted Iranian Football Federation Vice President for Women's Affairs Farideh Shojaei as saying that the five players had left the hotel through a back door with police.

"We have contacted the embassy, the football federation, the foreign ministry and anywhere possible to see what will happen," she said. "We have even spoken with the families of these five players".

Iranian media said the squad had planned to return to Iran via Dubai, but the United Arab Emirates had not allowed them to do so.

It said that efforts were expected to be made for the players and staff to travel via Malaysia and Turkey.

Trump called for squad to be given asylum in Australia

US President Donald Trump said earlier that he had spoken to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese about the situation.

He initially posted on social media that Australia was "making a terrible humanitarian mistake" by allowing the Iranians to be sent home.

The squad members would "likely be killed" if forced to return to Iran, Mr Trump said, adding: "The US will take them if you won't".

In a later post, he said that he had spoken to Mr Albanese and the prime minister was "doing a very good job having to do with this rather delicate situation".

The president said that five members of the squad "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," he added.

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