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

Donald Trump has said that several members of the Iran women's national football team have already received assistance from the authorities of Australia regarding asylum.

According to Caliber.Az, the US president wrote about this on the social media platform Truth Social.

Trump said he had discussed the issue in a phone call with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

“I just spoke to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, of Australia, concerning the Iranian National Women’s Soccer Team. He’s on it! Five [players] have already been taken care of, and the rest are on their way,” Trump wrote.

At the same time, the US president noted that some members of the team are considering returning to Iran because they fear for the safety of their relatives. He added that the Australian prime minister is “doing a very good job handling this rather delicate situation.”

The team is currently participating in the AFC Women's Asian Cup being held in Australia.

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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