Iranian women’s national soccer team members have left their hotel in Australia amid safety fears and are now under police protection, a source told CNN Sports.
Five players, competing in the Women’s Asian Cup, are at the center of growing concern over potential persecution if they return to their home country, now governed by a hardline supreme leader and embroiled in conflict with the US and Israel.
Before their opening match last Monday, the players remained silent during the Iranian national anthem.
Although they did not explain their gesture, some hardliners in Iran interpreted it as an act of treason.
Sources told CNN Sports that the team was compelled to sing the anthem ahead of their second match on Thursday and again on Sunday before their 2-0 loss to the Philippines, where they also gave a military salute.
After the final match, supporters surrounded the team bus, shouting at police to “save our girls” as it departed.
Hadi Karimi, a human rights advocate and member of the local Iranian community, said observers outside could see at least three players inside using the international hand signal for help.
However, a source close to the team expressed doubt to CNN that the players fully understood the meaning of the sign.
Karimi added on Monday that there is hope other players will join the five teammates currently with police, calling it “amazing news” that some of them had managed to leave.
CNN has contacted the Australian Federal Police and the Departments of Home and Foreign Affairs for comment.
The situation has also drawn the attention of Reza Pahlavi, son of Iran’s former shah, who urged the Australian government to protect the players, warning on X that they would face “dire consequences” if forced to return.
“As a result of their brave act of civil disobedience in refusing to sing the current regime’s national anthem, they face dire consequences should they return to Iran,” Pahlavi wrote. “I call on the Australian government to ensure their safety and give them any and all needed support.”
A source close to the team told CNN that some spectators at Sunday’s match were present to support Pahlavi as a potential future leader of Iran.
FIFA confirmed it was in close contact with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and relevant authorities, including Football Australia.
“The safety and security of IR Iran’s women’s national team are FIFA’s priority, and we therefore remain in close contact with the AFC and the relevant Australian authorities, including Football Australia, in relation to the team’s situation,” a spokesperson said.
The team’s participation in the Women’s Asian Cup has coincided with a period of turmoil for Iran as the country’s conflict with the US and Israel expands to neighboring regions.
Travel is complicated by airspace closures and threats of airstrikes, raising fears that the women could be sent to a third country, possibly China, Russia, or Malaysia, before returning to the Middle East.
Craig Foster, a former Australian international and human rights advocate, said the women have been denied contact with external support networks.
“No athlete group should ever be effectively held hostage by their own member federation and denied access to external support networks,” Foster said. “The first thing that the Australian football community is calling on them is to grant access to the players to safe, culturally appropriate support networks, so that they can privately and confidentially express if they are feeling unsafe and what they would like to see happen.”
CNN has also reached out to the AFC and the Iranian Football Federation for comment.
Beau Busch, President of FIFPRO Asia/Oceania, told ABC that the organization had been unable to contact the Iranian players. “While that is incredibly concerning, we anticipated problems after the Iranian regime’s crackdown on protesters earlier this year. Our responsibility right now is to do everything within our power to try and make sure that they’re safe,” he said.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong declined to comment when asked if officials had contacted the players, saying only, “We stand in solidarity with the men and women of Iran and particularly Iranian women and girls. Obviously, this is a regime that we know has brutally cracked down on its people.”
At a post-match press conference on Sunday, Iran coach Marziyeh Jafari said the team was eager to return home. “Personally, I would like to return to my country as soon as possible and be with my compatriots and family,” she said.
Karimi, vice president of the Iranian Society of Queensland, said supporters had gathered outside the hotel where the team was staying.
Unable to contact the players due to tight security, they sought assistance from local police, who have been monitoring the hotel and ensuring the players’ safety.
“We want you to separate them from IRGC,” Karimi said, referring to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. “Separate them from Islamic regime members, and interview them.”
