US President Donald Trump said that the Australian Prime Minister has “taken care of” five members of the Iranian women’s football team after his call with Anthony Albanese.
Trump praised Albanese offering “asylum” to football team and said that the Prime Minister is doing a very good job.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said, “I just spoke to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, of Australia, concerning the Iranian National Women’s Soccer Team. He’s on it! Five have already been taken care of, and the rest are on their way. Some, however, feel they must go back because they are worried about the safety of their families, including threats to those family members if they don’t return. In any event, the Prime Minister is doing a very good job having to do with this rather delicate situation. God bless Australia! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
Earlier, Australia’s SBS News earlier said five players had “broken free” after the team was eliminated from the Asian Cup tournament and were now under the protection of the federal police, seeking assistance from the government, Reuters reported.
This remark came after the Iranian women’s Soccer team showed “SoS” sign.
The controversy began when the players declined to sing Iran’s national anthem before their match against South Korea women’s national football team last week, drawing sharp criticism from authorities and commentators in Iran. One commentator reportedly branded the players “wartime traitors” and called for harsh punishment.
Although the team later sang the anthem during two subsequent matches, Iranian state television reportedly described their earlier refusal as a “pinnacle of dishonour”.
The squad had been expected to fly back to Iran after their tournament exit, but supporters raised concerns about their safety if they returned.
Meanwhile, crowds gathered urging the government of Australia to protect the players, chanting “save our girls” while waving the historic Iranian imperial flag bearing the Lion and Sun symbol.
