Iranians Cheer Returning Women’s Soccer Team

Iranians gathered with flags to welcome the women’s national soccer team on their return from Australia, where a number of them had considered claiming asylum in recent days, according to Iranian state media. Seven of the women had sought humanitarian assistance, fearing retribution in Iran for refusing to sing their national anthem in an opening game of a tournament. Iranian state media branded the team traitors after that match. However, five of those who asked to stay in Australia later withdrew their applications. On Sunday, Tony Burke, Australia’s minister for home affairs, said the government in Canberra had done “everything we could” to give the women a chance for a safe future in Australia. He said that after the women communicated their decision to return, the Australian government gave them opportunities to discuss their options.