Australia's home affairs minister, Tony Burke, confirmed that three more members of the Iranian women's football delegation have decided to return home, despite being given humanitarian visas to stay in Australia.
The trio, named as Zahra Soltan Meshkehkar, Mona Hamoudi, and Zahra Sarbali by human rights activists, will join the rest of the squad in Malaysia, as reported by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-linked Tasnim News Agency.
According to Tasnim, the three women had withdrawn their asylum application in Australia and were on their way to Kuala Lumpur to "return to the warm embrace of their families and homeland".
Background
Concerns grew for the Iranian team after they remained silent during their country's anthem in the Asian Cup match against South Korea on 2 March, leading to them being branded "war traitors" in Iran.
Australia's government had provided the women with opportunities for a safe future, but Minister Burke stated that the government "cannot remove the context in which the players are making these incredibly difficult decisions".
Official Statements
Tony Burke said in a statement, "Australians should be proud that it was in our country that these women experienced a nation presenting them with genuine choices and interacted with authorities seeking to help them."
Iran's sports ministry also confirmed the news, stating that "the national spirit and patriotism of the Iranian women's national football team defeated the enemy's plans against this team".
Current Status
Of the seven who initially sought to stay in Australia, only three now remain as defectors, with the remaining Iranian players having left Australia on Tuesday night local time.
The case has sparked concerns in Australia about potential repercussions for the team members and their families in Iran, with one conservative commentator accusing them of being "wartime traitors" and calling for harsh punishment.
