Three Iranian women soccer players are set to return home after having sought asylum in Australia

Australia’s government announced on Sunday that three members of the Iranian women’s soccer team, who had sought asylum in Australia, have chosen to return to Iran.

Last week, Australia issued humanitarian visas to seven Iranian footballers who sought asylum, expressing concerns about potential persecution upon their return home after not singing the national anthem during a Women’s Asian Cup match.

So far, four of the seven members have chosen to depart from Australia. Last week, another member reconsidered her stance. “After informing Australian officials of their decision, the players were afforded multiple opportunities to discuss their options,” stated Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke. “While the Australian Government can guarantee that opportunities are presented and communicated, we cannot eliminate the context in which the players are faced with these profoundly challenging decisions,” he continued.

The Iranian Football Association (FFIRI) announced the selection of players Mona Hamoudi, Zahra Sarbali, and Zahra Meshkehkar.

“Upon their arrival in Malaysia and reuniting with the rest of Iran’s women’s national football team, the three players will soon journey to Tehran to be warmly welcomed by their families and homeland,” FFIRI stated in a release.

The Iranian team’s journey in the Asian Cup commenced simultaneously with the U.S. and Israel initiating air strikes on Iran, resulting in the death of the Islamic Republic’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. They faced elimination from the tournament last Sunday.