KUALA LUMPUR: Several players from the Iranian women's football team have arrived in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday (March 11), believed to be on their way home from Sydney, Australia.
Australia had announced the country was granting humanitarian visas to five players players who said they feared for their safety if they returned to Iran. Two others have applied for asylum.
This comes after the team was criticised for not singing the national anthem during their opening match at the Women's Asian Cup on March 3.
This was widely interpreted as a sign of protest against the country's leadership, raising fears the players could face severe consequences if they return to Iran.
Iran's Attorney General's Office said that the members of the squad were "invited back safely and with full confidence."
The statement was to ease concerns over the safety of players who chose to return home.
The incident has drawn international attention, with rights groups in Australia voicing concern that the players could face prosecution.
Bernama reported that the Iranian Embassy in Malaysia confirmed that the remaining members of the football squad arrived in Malaysia on Wednesday morning.
Footage of the squad's arrival at Kuala Lumpur International Airport circulated on social media.
According to the Embassy, the players are expected to return to Iran, subject to flight availability and the reopening of Iran's airspace.
"They want to return home," the Embassy told Bernama when contacted.
The development follows reports that seven other members of the team have sought asylum in Australia, citing fears of persecution upon returning to Iran after refusing to sing the national anthem before their opening match of the tournament on March 3.
According to reports quoting Australia's Immigration Minister Tony Burke, the players were moved to a safe location by Australian police.
Burke also said that remaining members of the squad had been informed they were welcome to remain in Australia.
A spokesperson for Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday urged the players to return home.
"To Iran's women's football team: don't worry – Iran awaits you with open arms," he wrote on X.
Separate reports said the players later sang and saluted the national anthem during their remaining two matches in the tournament.
When asked about the condition and well-being of the players currently in Malaysia, the Embassy said: "They are very good, very well."
According to the Embassy of Malaysia in Tehran, Iranian passport holders do not require a visa to enter Malaysia for a stay not exceeding 30 days.
