A member of Iran’s visiting women’s football team who initially sought refuge in Australia has reversed her decision after discussions with fellow players, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said on Wednesday.
Seven players from the Iranian squad had applied for asylum while in Australia after being labeled “traitors” in their home country following a pre-match protest.
One player and a member of the team’s support staff requested sanctuary before the squad departed Sydney for Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday evening.
The emotional departure came after five other teammates had already sought asylum.
Burke told parliament on Wednesday that authorities were later informed that one of the group had reconsidered after speaking with teammates who had already left.
“She had been advised by her team mates and encouraged to contact the Iranian embassy,” he said.
“As a result of that it meant the Iranian embassy now knew the location of where everybody was.”
According to Burke, the remaining players who had sought protection were relocated from their initial safe house to another undisclosed site.
Members of the traveling squad arrived in Malaysia early Wednesday after departing from Sydney, according to AFP photographs taken at Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
Officials had also expressed concern that male minders accompanying the team could attempt to stop other players from applying for asylum.
Burke said that at Sydney Airport each player was separated from the team and given the opportunity to consider the asylum offer privately.
Australian authorities had “made sure this was her decision,” he said, referring to the Iranian team member who ultimately withdrew her request for sanctuary.
