Iranian footballers say Australia has given them 'hope' for safe future

Two Iranian footballers who were granted asylum in Australia have said the country has given them "hope for a future where we can live and compete in safety". Atefeh Ramezanisadeh and Fatemeh Pasandideh were among seven members of the Iranian team who were originally granted humanitarian visas while in Australia for the Women's Asian Cup - but the...

Two Iranian footballers who were granted asylum in Australia have said the country has given them "hope for a future where we can live and compete in safety".

Atefeh Ramezanisadeh and Fatemeh Pasandideh were among seven members of the Iranian team who were originally granted humanitarian visas while in Australia for the Women's Asian Cup - but the other five changed their minds and returned home.

It was feared the team would face repercussions for declining to sing the Iranian national anthem at their opening match, days after the war began.

In their first public statement, Ramezanisadeh and Pasandideh thanked supporters for their compassion and asked for privacy.