KUALA LUMPUR — The Iranian Embassy in Malaysia confirmed that the remaining players of the Islamic Republic of Iran women’s football squad participating in the Asian Cup campaign in Australia arrived in Malaysia on Wednesday morning.
Footage of the team’s arrival at Kuala Lumpur International Airport went viral on social media earlier today.
According to the Embassy, the players are expected to return to Iran subject to flight availability and the reopening of Iranian airspace.
“They want to return to their homeland,” the Embassy told Bernama when contacted.
The development follows reports that seven more players from the squad have applied for asylum in Australia citing fears of persecution if they return to Iran after refusing to sing the national anthem before the tournament’s opening match on March 3.
The players were evacuated to a safe location by Australian police, according to a report quoting Australian Immigration Minister Tony Burke.
Burke also reportedly said the remaining players in the squad had been told they were welcome to remain in Australia.
The players were initially scheduled to return home after the tournament, but fans raised concerns about their safety following the team’s decision not to sing the national anthem before their match against South Korea.
The move drew criticism from some commentators in Iran, with one conservative commentator reportedly accusing the team of “wartime traitors” and calling for severe punishment.
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei on Tuesday urged the players to return home.
“To the Iranian women’s football team: don’t worry – Iran awaits you with open arms,” he wrote on the X platform.
Separate reports said the players later sang and saluted the national anthem in their two remaining matches in the tournament.
When asked about the condition and welfare of the players currently in Malaysia, the embassy said: “They are in very good condition and healthy.”
According to the Malaysian Embassy in Tehran, Iranian passport holders travelling to Malaysia using their passports do not require a visa to enter Malaysia for stays not exceeding 14 days.
“Those wishing to enter Malaysia for other purposes or to stay for more than 14 days are required to obtain a visa to enter Malaysia,” according to a statement on its website.
— BERNAMA
