5 women rejoin Iranian soccer squad in Malaysia after abandoning asylum

Members of Iran’s women’s football team arrive at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang, Malaysia. (AP)

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, March 16 (AP): The Iranian women’s soccer team had yet to reveal plans to leave Malaysia after most of the seven squad members who created a diplomatic furor by accepting asylum in Australia a week ago have rejoined their teammates in Kuala Lumpur, a sports official said Monday.

The squad flew from Sydney on March 10 after being knocked out of the Women’s Asian Cup in Australia, leaving behind six players and a support staff member who had accepted protection visas.

Four players and the staffer have since rejoined the team in Kuala Lumpur, the latest flying in on Monday. No reasons have been given for the changes of heart, but the Iranian diaspora in Australia blames pressure from Tehran. Some suspect the team is remaining on a 10-hour flight from Sydney until the two outstanding players are persuaded to rejoin them from Australia.

The team is being supported in Kuala Lumpur by the Asian Football Confederation. The confederation’s general secretary, Windsor Paul John, said the team was waiting in Malaysia's largest city to make flight connections to their war-torn homeland.

"It could be today, tomorrow, or next week,” Windsor told reporters in Kuala Lumpur. "We are just waiting for them to tell us their plans.”

Windsor said his confederation had not received any direct complaints from players about returning home, despite media reports that their families in Iran could face retaliation for the team failing to sing their national anthem before the opening match.

"We couldn’t verify anything. We asked them, and they said, ‘No, it’s ok,’” he said. "They are actually in high spirits... they didn’t look afraid.”

Iranian authorities have welcomed the women's decisions to reject asylum as a victory against Australia and U.S. President Donald Trump.

Iran’s squad had arrived in Australia for the tournament shortly before the war in the Middle East began on Feb. 28, complicating travel arrangements.

Assistant Immigration Minister Matt Thistlethwaite described the women's plight in Australia as a "very complex situation.”

"These are deeply personal decisions, and the government respects the decisions of those who have chosen to return. And we continue to offer support to the two that are remaining,” Thistlethwaite said.