The Iran women’s football team have been competing at the Asian Cup in Australia, but are now set to return to the country after being branded ‘wartime traitors’
The Iran women’s football team reportedly made ‘SOS signals’ as they prepared to return home after being labelled ‘traitors’. The squad has been participating in the Asian Cup in Australia over the past few weeks.
They recently hit the headlines for remaining silent during Monday’s anthem ceremony in a display of defiance – an act that sparked outrage from the Iranian State. TV Presenter Mohammad Reza Shahbazi reacted to the protest, stating: “Let me just say one thing: traitors during wartime must be dealt with more severely. Anyone who takes a step against the country under war conditions must be dealt with more severely.
“Like this matter of our women’s football team not singing the national anthem, and that photo that was published and so on, which I won’t get into. Both the public and the authorities must treat these individuals as ‘wartime traitors’.”
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“It should not be viewed merely as an objection or a symbolic gesture. The stain of dishonour and treason must remain on their foreheads, and they must face a definitive and severe confrontation.”
Refugee Council chief executive Paul Power confessed there were concerns about the players’ safety upon their return to Iran. He commented: “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.”
Following their tournament exit, the team are due to head back to Iran. Social media footage depicts the team bus departing the Australian stadium after a 2-0 defeat to the Philippines, with some players seemingly making desperate pleas for help.
There have also been claims that some players used sign language to signal ‘SOS’. Supporters tried to rally behind the players, with some waving Iranian flags and others heard chanting ‘save our girls’.
In Sunday’s post-match press conference, team manager Marziyeh Jafari stated: “We are impatiently waiting to return. Personally, I would like to return to my country as soon as possible and be with my compatriots and family.”
The Iranian women’s team has also garnered support from Australian government figures. “We stand in solidarity with the men and women of Iran, and particularly Iranian women and girls,” Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong told ABC on Sunday.
“Obviously this is a regime that has brutally cracked down on its people.”
The team’s initial refusal to sing the national anthem occurred just two days after the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. His son Mojtaba Khamenei is expected to be announced as his successor.
He is reportedly not a high-ranking cleric, has never held office and does not have an official role within the regime.