Iran urges female footballers to return home after asylum grants in Australia

Iranian authorities have issued a statement regarding the women’s national football team after five of its members were granted humanitarian visas to remain in Australia, Reuters reports.

The Prosecutor General’s Office said the women had acted under the influence of “emotional distress” and could return home “in peace and confidence.”

“Some members of our hardworking women’s football team, children of this land, unintentionally and in a state of emotional imbalance caused by enemy conspiracies, behaved in a way that provoked delusional excitement among the criminal leaders of the United States and Israel,” the statement said.

“Since the authorities and the noble people of the Islamic Iran warmly welcome these children and understand their particular situation, we invite these dear individuals to return to their homeland with peace and confidence in the future,” it added.

The women who sought asylum in Australia are between 20 and 30 years old.

By Khagan Isayev