Former Socceroos captain and human rights advocate Craig Foster says the threat to the Iran women’s football team is “pretty clear” as pressure mounts on the Albanese government to grant players asylum after their silent protest.
The Iranian Lionesses are in Australia for the Women’s Asian Cup and have been condemned by state media back home for refusing to sing their national anthem.
Mr Foster said on Monday that if the players were to return they would be “designated as an enemy of the state”.
“I think it’s pretty clear to everyone on the potential threat that they’re facing, whether here or particularly if they do return, or when they do return to Iran,” he told ABC radio.
“I’ve been involved in a number of campaigns in only the last four or five years of athletes who’ve faced really serious consequences for speaking out against the government or indeed peacefully protesting and being designated as an enemy of the state.
“And so, Iranian human rights groups have run numerous campaigns in recent years to try and save the lives of those people.
“And for that reason, I think the whole Australian football community and Australia is extremely concerned about the potential threat to the lives of these players.”
Mr Foster also said that he understood “no finite date has been set at this point in time” for the team to leave Australia after their 2-0 loss to the Philippines ended their shot at the tournament.
The Albanese government and the Coalition are discussing options for the players, with one source familiar with discussions but not permitted to speak publicly saying asylum was on the table.
Citing sensitivities of talks, opposition foreign affairs spokesman Ted O’Brien would not say if the team should be granted political asylum when asked but did praise the “bravery of these women” and said they were in a “diabolical situation”.
“For them to undertake what really was a silent protest against a … murderous regime that you have in Iran is something I think every Australian should admire,” Mr O’Brien said, also speaking to ABC radio.
“We are, of course, in contact with the government on this matter. We want people to have freedom.
“We want to ensure that women are treated elsewhere in the world like they are in Australia.
“I am not aware that asylum has been requested at this point. If asylum is requested, I have confidence that the government will give it due consideration. This a diabolical situation.”
More to come
