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Iran's national women's football team has begun its return journey home via eastern Turkey, following a tense episode that has drawn international attention and raised concerns about pressure on the athletes.
Travel and return
The team arrived in Istanbul on Tuesday evening on a flight from Oman and then traveled to the eastern city of Igdir. From there, the players continued to the Gurbulak-Bazargan border crossing, about 100 kilometers southeast, to enter Iran.
Dressed in their national uniforms, the players were seen leaving the airport and continuing their journey to their home country, following an itinerary that included Oman and Malaysia. They had originally left from Australia, where they had participated in the Women's Asian Cup.
The asylum episode
The incident came to light after seven members of the delegation sought asylum in Australia. They were reportedly considered "traitors" in Iran for refusing to sing the national anthem at the opening match.
However, five of them later withdrew their asylum applications, while two players decided to remain in Australia.
One of the footballers stated during transit in Kuala Lumpur that the decision to return was also related to family reasons, emphasizing the absence of her family.
Official and international reactions
Iranian authorities reacted by calling the return a natural act. The speaker of parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, called the players "children of the homeland" and said their return represented a rejection of external pressures.
On the other hand, human rights organizations have raised allegations of pressure on Iranian athletes abroad, including allegations of threats against their families.
Authorities in Tehran have denied these allegations and have opposed Australia, accusing it of influencing the players not to return.
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