Iranian Women’s Soccer Player Faces Brutal Ultimatum After Defying Regime

It’s been a whirlwind of a week for members of the Iranian Women’s soccer team. Many players sought asylum instead of returning to Iran. Now the same women are withdrawing their asylum bids as concerns for their families’ safety under the despotic regime mount.

The latest to make this move is the captain of the soccer team, Zahra Ghanbari, who is “returning to the embrace of the homeland” Monday after withdrawing her asylum bid Sunday, Iran’s IRNA news agency reported.

Per the New York Post, the players fear their families are in danger if they don’t return home.

“Several of the players decided to go back because the threats against their families became unbearable and the intimidation was relentless,” Shiva Amini, an exiled Iranian former soccer player, wrote on X on Sunday. “They have even targeted the family of Zahra Ghanbari. Despite the fact that she has just lost her father, authorities are putting pressure on her mother. This shows the level of cruelty and desperation they are willing to use to force these athletes to comply.”

Seven players made headlines last week for seeking asylum in Australia after being eliminated from the Women’s Asian Cup, where members of Iran’s team refused to sing the Iranian National Anthem. Now the only two players who intend to remain in Australia are Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh.

“The guilt, the pressure, the impossible choice between your freedom and your family,” Amini wrote on X. “Sometimes the psychological pressure is so strong that it feels like there is no real choice. Whether you stay or whether you go back, in both cases you are still suffering.”

The Iranian women had decided not to partake in their country’s anthem earlier this month after the United States and Israel launched their air strikes on Iran, killing the Islamic Republic’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The women were called “traitors,” and their well-being was put in jeopardy.

President Donald Trump revealed last week that he had spoken with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on behalf of the Iranian women’s soccer team, detailing the delicate situation for the young women. The Australian government immediately took action to protect them.

“The players were ‘given repeated chances to talk about their options’ but ultimately faced ‘incredibly difficult decisions,'” Australia Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said in a statement Saturday.

An Australian councillor for the city of Ryde, Tina Kordrostami, alleged the players were being heavily intimidated by Tehran, claiming their families were being used as leverage to get them back to Iran.

“I know families have even been detained. I know family members are missing,” Kordrostami told Fox News. “We are very worried about them. We know for a fact that they will not be safe.”

The two players who chose to stay in Australia are receiving assistance from the government and the Iranian diaspora community, per a report by PBS.

On Monday, the soccer players who remain in Australia were invited to train with local club Brisbane Roar FC.

“Today, Brisbane Roar officially welcomed both Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh to the club’s training facilities to take part in training with our A-League Women squad and remain committed to providing a supportive environment for them whilst they navigate the next stages,” Brisbane Roar FC CEO, Kaz Patafta, said.

The club’s CEO said the team will not be providing any further comment on the two Iranian women at this time.