play Live Sign upShow navigation menuplay Live Click here to searchsearchSign upNews|FootballTrump says Australia has ‘taken care of’ some Iranian women footballersPlayers’ union FIFPRO expressed serious concerns for team after criticism of them not singing national anthem before first match.
Listen to this article | 3 minsinfoIranian players film supporters blocking the bus upon their departure following the AFC Women's Asian Cup Group A match between Iran and the Philippines at Gold Coast Stadium in Gold Coast, Australia, on March 8, 2026 [AAP via Reuters]By Al Jazeera Staff and ReutersPublished On 9 Mar 20269 Mar 2026Click here to share on social mediashare2Share
googleAdd Al Jazeera on GoogleinfoUnited States President Donald Trump says that Australia has “taken care of” five visiting members of Iran’s women’s football team who potentially faced punishment upon their return home for not singing their national anthem.
Trump, who is currently waging war on Iran alongside ally Israel, said on Monday that he had spoken to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese about the “delicate situation” faced by the team after their participation in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 in Queensland and that Albanese was “on it!”.
“Five have already been taken care of, and the rest are on their way. Some, however, feel they must go back because they are worried about the safety of their families, including threats to those family members if they don’t return,” said the US president on his Truth Social network.
Trump appeared to be making reference to the five players who had, according to local media reports, “broken free” after the event, held in Queensland’s Gold Coast, and were said to be under the protection of the Australian Federal Police, seeking assistance from the government.
Australia’s SBS News said government sources had confirmed the reports, published late on Monday, adding that Australia’s Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke had flown to Brisbane to meet with the women.
Earlier, the US president had called on Albanese to “give ASYLUM” to the team, which was knocked out of the tournament on Sunday after losing their last group game against the Philippines, warning the leader that he would be making a “terrible humanitarian mistake” if he allowed them to be “forced back to Iran, where they will most likely be killed”.
The Iranians’ participation in the event started just as the US and Israel launched air strikes on Iran on February 28, killing the Islamic Republic’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
The players’ decision to stand in silence during Iran’s anthem before their first match against South Korea was labelled by a commentator on Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting as the “pinnacle of dishonour”.
The team then sang the anthem and saluted before their second match against Australia, sparking fears among human rights campaigners that the women had been coerced by government minders, who had reportedly escorted them everywhere.
Global football players’ union FIFPRO said earlier on Monday that there were serious concerns for the welfare of the team, as they prepared to return home after being labelled “wartime traitors”.
When asked whether Australia would grant the players asylum, Matt Thistlethwaite, the assistant minister for foreign affairs and trade, was cited by news agency Reuters as saying that the government could not “go into individual circumstances for privacy reasons”.
The Australian Federal Police and Queensland Police have so far declined to comment.
It is not known which members of the team are seeking asylum in Australia.
