SYDNEY, March 8 - The Iran women's soccer team sang their national anthem before their final Women's Asian Cup match against the Philippines. This followed a previous match where they remained silent, leading to accusations of lacking patriotism on Iranian state TV.
The team's participation in the tournament ended with a 2-0 loss to the Philippines, concluding their campaign in Australia. Their earlier silence before a match against South Korea drew criticism from a state broadcaster, which labeled the act as the "pinnacle of dishonor."
Human rights campaigners in Australia expressed fears that the players may have been coerced into singing the anthem before their subsequent defeat to the host nation. A petition urging Australia to grant refuge to the team garnered over 51,000 signatures, citing credible fears for their safety.
Australian officials, including the Home Affairs Minister and Foreign Minister, declined to comment directly on the petition or the team's situation. The players' union, FIFPRO, had previously called on the Asian Football Confederation and FIFA to ensure the safety of the Iranian squad.