Iranian Women's Football Team Withdraws Asylum in Australia

The Iranian women's national football team landed at Istanbul Airport on Tuesday after seven members withdrew their asylum bids in Australia. They had initially sought asylum due to concerns over being labeled "traitors" for not singing the national anthem during the Women's Asian Cup.

The players arrived in Turkey via Oman and Kuala Lumpur and were escorted by police to a hotel in Istanbul, planning to return to Iran on Wednesday. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf expressed disappointment over the situation, stating that the enemies of the Islamic Republic would not succeed in intimidating athletes.

The Iranian authorities have been accused of pressuring athletes abroad and threatening them with property seizures if they defect. The team’s decision to return home was influenced by the desire to reunite with their families, as reported by AFP.