Five Iranian women's soccer players to seek asylum in Australia after leaving team's handlers, multiple sources say

Five female soccer players who it was feared would face persecution when they returned to Iran have left their accommodation in the Gold Coast and plan to seek asylum in Australia, multiple sources have told the ABC.

Fatemeh Pasandideh, Zahra Ghanbari, Zahra Sarbali, Atefeh Ramazanzadeh, and Mona Hamoudi, who all play for the Iran women’s national football team, refused to sing the national anthem before their opening match with South Korea at the Women's Asian Cup earlier this month.

Fears had been growing they would be targeted by the Iranian regime upon their return, after they were labelled "traitors" on Iranian state TV.

Now, a family member of one of the athletes, who we have agreed not to name, and activists within the Iranian Australian community have told the ABC the players have evaded the team's handlers and are being protected by police in Queensland.

One of the athlete's family members told the ABC: "I want to kiss the hands of everyone who helped".

"And I appreciate your sacrifices. Five of them are leaving the team to stay. I pray to god we all go back to a free Iran soon."

Exiled crown prince of Iran, Reza Pahlavi posted on Instagram that his office had "been informed that five players from the Iranian women’s national football team had left the team's training camp".

"These five courageous athletes, currently in a safe location, have announced that they have joined Iran’s national Lion and Sun Revolution," he said.

The post said the players had "successfully sought refuge in Australia".

The ABC has contacted the Australian Federal Police and Department of Home Affairs for comment.

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