Iran footballers labelled traitors and ‘concern dying penalty’ over protest after chilling warning
The Iranian women’s football team staged a protest in their first game of the Asian Cup in Australia
Iran ahead of their Asian Women’s Cup game against South Korea. (Image: Izhar Khan / AFP via Getty Images)
The Iranian women’s football team fear facing the death penalty for treason after mounting a demonstration against the nation’s current regime.
The squad have been competing in the Women’s Asian Cup in Australia. They staged their demonstration during their opening match against South Korea on Monday, when they declined to sing the national anthem and perform a military salute.
They suffered a 3-0 defeat in that fixture. They returned to action on Thursday when they endured a 4-0 loss against hosts Australia, before departing the tournament on Sunday with a 2-0 defeat against the Philippines.
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Unlike their first game, the matches against Australia and the Philippines saw them sing the national anthem and perform the salute. Nevertheless, the protest has resulted in Iranian state TV branding them as ‘traitors’.
Presenter Mohammad Reza Shahbazi issued a chilling warning : “In times of war, traitors must be dealt with more harshly,” he said. “Anyone who takes even a single step against the country during wartime must face stronger consequences.”
Their departure from the tournament means that the squad are now set to journey back to Iran. However, there are some concerns for their wellbeing following the demonstration.
Refugee Council chief executive Paul Power said: “Certainly on the evidence that’s available, it would appear that the members of the women’s soccer team are at risk if they’re returned.”
Journalist Ali Bornaei tagged foreign minister Penny Wong on X, stating: “The lives of the Iranian Women’s National Football Team are in imminent danger.
“After their peaceful protest in Australia, Iranian state-linked media has officially labelled them ‘wartime traitors’.
“In Iran, ‘treason’ is a capital offence punishable by death. These athletes face arbitrary detention and execution if forced to return.”
Australia’s shadow attorney general, Julian Leeser has urged the Australian government to provide sanctuary to the squad. “On International Women’s Day we must stand up for the women in our midst, he said.
“We know that in recent days serious threats have been made against the courageous Iranian women’s soccer team who are playing in Australia. Given the serious threats, members of the Iranian team should be offered asylum if they want it.
“The Australian government should not turn a blind eye to the danger these women face.”
Numerous Iranian community organisations and civil society groups have also contacted the Australian government, expressing their worries for the team should they be compelled to return to Iran.
