Two Iranian women’s soccer players who remained in Australia after their team’s tournament have spoken publicly for the first time since being granted asylum, saying they hope to resume their professional careers in safety.
Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh released a joint statement thanking the Australian government for providing them a “safe haven.”
“The compassion and support shown to us during this challenging time has provided us with hope for a future where we can live and compete in safety,” the statement read, Fox News reported.
The players added that they were “overwhelmed by the warmth and generosity of the Iranian diaspora community in Australia. Your support has made us feel welcome and less alone as we navigate this transition. At this stage, our primary focus is on our safety, our health, and beginning the process of rebuilding our lives.
“We are elite athletes, and it remains our dream to continue our sporting careers here in Australia.”
The two were part of Iran’s national team that arrived in Australia for the Women’s Asian Cup in February, just as the U.S. and Israel began a joint military operation against Iran. During the squad’s first match against South Korea, the players stood silent for the national anthem while coach Marziyeh Jafari smiled at them. In later games against Australia and the match that ended their tournament run, the team sang along and saluted.
Fears for the players’ safety after the tournament led the Australian Iranian Council to start an online petition urging authorities not to let any team members leave while credible risks remained. Seven players initially accepted asylum offers, but five later decided to return to Iran. Some of the players and their families had received threats, The Dallas Express previously reported.
Pasandideh and Ramezanisadeh said they “are not yet ready to speak publicly” about their experiences and asked the media for privacy.
“We respectfully ask the media for privacy and space at this time. We will not be making any further comments or conducting interviews in the immediate future,” they said.
The pair were photographed last month training with the professional club Brisbane Roar.