BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA (VINnews) – Australia’s Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke announced Tuesday that five members of Iran’s women’s national soccer team have been granted humanitarian visas and asylum, allowing them to remain in the country after expressing fears for their safety upon return to Iran.

The players — identified in reports as Fatemeh Pasandideh, Zahra Ghanbari, Zahra Sarbali, Atefeh Ramazanzadeh and Mona Hamoudi — defected from their team during the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in Queensland. They evaded team handlers at a Gold Coast hotel, sought protection from Australian Federal Police and applied for asylum.

Burke, speaking at a press conference in Brisbane, said he met with the women overnight and informed them they were welcome to stay.

“Last night, I was able to tell five members of the Iranian women’s soccer team that they are welcome to stay in Australia, that they are safe here, and they should feel at home here,” Burke said. He added that the government had finalized processing of their humanitarian visas.

The announcement follows intensified discussions after the players’ actions, which included refusing to sing Iran’s national anthem before a match — a gesture that drew accusations of treason from Iranian state media amid the ongoing U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran. The team was eliminated from the tournament after a loss to the Philippines.

Burke noted that other team members would have the option to seek similar protection if they wished, though some may feel compelled to return due to concerns for family members in Iran.

The development came after U.S. President Donald Trump publicly urged Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to grant asylum to the players, warning that forcing their return could be a “terrible humanitarian mistake” and suggesting they faced likely persecution or death in Iran. Trump later posted that Australia had “taken care of” five players and was handling the “delicate situation” well following talks with Albanese.

The players reportedly signaled their intent through gestures and actions during the tournament, heightening international attention on their plight.

Iranian opposition figures, including exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, have supported the players, stating they have joined broader calls for change in Iran.

Australian authorities placed the five in a safe location with police assistance before granting their visas.