US President Donald Trump slammed Australia’s decision to send back Iran’s national women’s soccer team following their tournament loss, calling it a “terrible humanitarian mistake.” The US air strikes on Iran that day had just killed the country’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. As the Iranians were set to return home after losing 2-0 to the Philippines in the Asian Cup, Trump urged Australia’s prime minister to offer asylum to the team members.
Australia’s SBS News reported five players from the Iranian women’s football team had “broken free” and were now under federal police protection, seeking government assistance. The Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke was flying to Brisbane to meet with them. Global player union FIFPRO expressed serious concerns about the team’s welfare as they prepared for their return home after being criticized for refusing to sing the national anthem before a match.
The team members had sung the anthem and saluted during their second match against Australia, leading some human rights campaigners to fear coercion from government officials. When asked whether Australia would provide asylum, Assistant Minister Matt Thistlethwaite explained that “privacy reasons” prevented such individual circumstances from being addressed publicly.
Trump’s remarks on Truth Social ignited a heated debate in the international community, with various governments and organizations expressing varying stances regarding the team’s safety. The incident highlighted tensions between US actions and its international allies over humanitarian issues within Iran, especially concerning women athletes who had made brave stands during their matches.