Trump urges Australia to grant asylum to Iranian women’s football team

United States President Donald Trump has called on Australia to offer asylum to Iranian women’s national football team, warning that the US would intervene if Australia did not act.

“Australia is making a terrible humanitarian mistake by allowing the Iran National Woman’s Soccer team to be forced back to Iran, where they will most likely be killed. Don’t do it, Mr. Prime Minister, give ASYLUM. The U.S. will take them if you won’t. Thank you for your attention to this matter,” Trump wrote on the social media platform Truth Social.

Concerns have arisen that the team could face persecution upon returning to Iran after they did not sing the national anthem prior to their opening match at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in Gold Coast. Normally, the squad’s return would be imminent following their exit at the group stage after Sunday’s defeat to the Philippines, but reports indicate they remain in Australia.

Reports emerged that the Australian Federal Police (AFP) had assisted five team members in leaving the team base and moving to a safe house following the tournament exit.

By Vafa Guliyeva