Iranian women's football team begin journey home after five withdraw asylum claims in Australia
Members of Iran's women's football team at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Monday. (AP Photo/Azneal Ishak)
In short:
The Iranian women's soccer team have begun making their way home from Malaysia, after five players withdrew their claims for asylum in Australia.
The Asian Football Confederation says the players were in "high spirits" as they boarded their flight.
What's next?
The Iranian embassy has arranged the team's journey, which is expected to see them return to Tehran.
The Iranian women's soccer team has begun making their way home from Malaysia, after five players withdrew their claims for asylum in Australia.
The group departed on a flight bound for Oman on Monday night.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said it had been supporting the squad in Kuala Lumpur, where they had been staying since leaving Sydney last week.
The team spent several hours at the Kuala Lumpur airport on Monday night with Iranian embassy staff.
Members of Iran's women's football wait to board a flight to Oman at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia. (AP Photo/Azneal Ishak)
AFC general secretary Windsor John said earlier he was not aware of the team's travel plans after Oman as it had been arranged by the Iranian embassy.
"We have spoken to the team officials. We have spoken to the coaches, the head of delegation," he said.
"They are actually in high spirits.
"They are not demotivated or they didn't look afraid."
Mr John said he would regularly check up on the players when they were back in Iran.
Concerns over the safety of the team first emerged after the players failed to sing the national anthem at a women's Asian Cup match.
The Iranian women's football team pose for a photo before their match against the Philippines at the Women's Asian Cup. (Getty Images: Albert Perez)
Seven team members, including a player handler, were granted humanitarian visas by the Australian government fearing persecution if they returned to Iran.
But five have since withdrawn their claims and opted to return home.
Esmail Baghaei, a spokesperson for Iran's foreign ministry, said the country "[took] pride" in the footballers "who did not fall for the hypocritical temptation of Australian officials".
"What happened in Australia was a very clear example of hypocrisy and deceit," he said.
"On the one hand, you massacre Iranian girls in Minab, and at the same time you become excited about taking photos with Iranian women footballers."
LoadingLocal Iranian diaspora members campaigning for the women to stay claim that the staff member granted asylum was passing on threats from the Iranian regime.
Government sources have previously said they looked into those claims and had no reason to believe them.
Two players remain in Australia and have been moved to an undisclosed safe location.
They are receiving support from the government and the Iranian diaspora community in Australia.
Reuters/ABC
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