Fifth member of Iranian women’s soccer team leaves Australia after initially accepting asylum

A fifth member of the Iranian women’s soccer team left Australia after initially accepting asylum, the Australian government said Monday.The player left shortly before midnight Sunday, leaving behind two of an initial seven squad members who accepted asylum, Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke’s office said, The Associated Press reported.
Iranian authorities have welcomed the women’s decision to leave Australia as a victory against the country and President Trump. Meanwhile, the Iranian diaspora in Australia blames pressure from Iran for the women’s departure.
The team arrived in Australia for the Women’s Asian Cup last month, before the U.S. and Israeli war with Iran began on Feb. 28.
Six players and a support staff member from a squad list of 26 players initially accepted humanitarian visas to stay in Australia before the rest of the Iranian contingent flew Tuesday from Sydney to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The rest of the team has stayed in Kuala Lumpur since they left Australia.
Australian Assistant Immigration Minister Matt Thistlethwaite said that the women’s plight in Australia was a “very complex situation.”
“We’ve been working very, very closely with them, but obviously this is a very complex situation. These are deeply personal decisions, and the government respects the decisions of those that have chosen to return. And we continue to offer support to the two that are remaining,” Thistlethwaite told Sky News television.
“They’re being given all the support of the Australian government and indeed the diaspora community to remain here and settle in Australia,” he added.

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