SYDNEY — The global players’ union FIFPRO is urging FIFA, the AFC, and the Australian government to leverage their influence to ensure the safety of Iran’s women’s national soccer team players, who face an uncertain future amid ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and the recent conclusion of their Women’s Asian Cup campaign.
Following a 2-0 loss to the Philippines on Sunday, the team bus was delayed from leaving Gold Coast Stadium due to a protest by supporters advocating for Reza Pahlavi, the son of the ousted Shah of Iran, who shouted, “let them go” and pounded on the bus before authorities intervened.
During FIFPRO’s general assembly in Sydney, Beau Busch, president of FIFPRO Asia/Oceania, expressed concern that the union had been unable to contact the players and emphasized the responsibility of FIFA, the AFC, and the Australian government to ensure the players have agency in determining their next steps.
Busch stated, “We’ve been advocating for the Australian government to ensure the players have the agency they deserve. It’s an incredibly complex situation. Some players may want to return home, while others might wish to seek asylum or remain in Australia longer. There are concerns about the potential risks of returning.”
Concerns regarding the safety of the players upon their return to Iran have heightened following their Women’s Asian Cup opener against South Korea, during which they gained international attention for their silent protest by not singing the national anthem, reminiscent of the men’s team during the 2022 FIFA Men’s World Cup in Qatar.
While they later sang the anthem and saluted the Islamic Republic’s flag in subsequent matches, inflammatory comments were made by pro-regime commentators, who branded them “wartime traitors” for their initial protest, suggesting they should face harsher consequences.
The players have been under strict surveillance, with communication limited to sanctioned press conferences, where AFC moderators swiftly cut off questions outside the scope of the matches. However, reports indicate that attempts by squad members to seek asylum have been obstructed, preventing them from consulting with human rights lawyers.
Busch remarked, “We know the players are still in Australia. Our priority is to work diligently with the AFC, FIFA, and the Australian government to ensure that all necessary pressure is applied to protect their safety and grant them the agency they require for their future choices.”
“Whether they choose to stay in Australia or return home, we must ensure that their journey is safe and that they are protected once they arrive back in Iran. This will be challenging, but FIFA has a duty to uphold human rights standards and apply their influence, which we fully expect them to do.”
“The fact that we cannot currently contact the players is deeply concerning. This issue has persisted since the increase in repression following protests that erupted in February.”
“We’re genuinely worried about their situation, and our responsibility at this moment is to do everything we can to ensure their safety.”
Widespread airspace closures have occurred throughout the Middle East since the U.S. and Israel initiated strikes against Iran, which has retaliated by targeting U.S. and Israeli bases across the region.
In the United Arab Emirates, Iraq national team coach Graham Arnold has urged FIFA to delay his team’s World Cup qualifying playoff set for later this month in Mexico due to safety concerns for players stranded in Iraq.
Busch concluded, “This is a remarkably challenging situation. Our engagement with the government has been focused on ensuring players are given a level of agency amid these difficulties.”
Busch also highlighted that the players’ union had raised red flags with organizers about the possibility of asylum claims during the Women’s Asian Cup last month but suggested that a human rights risk assessment prior to the tournament had not been completed.
“In hindsight, much of this was predictable,” Busch stated. “We communicated with the AFC and FIFA as early as February to ensure these issues were prioritized. The silent protests by the Iranian men’s national team during the 2022 FIFA Men’s World Cup highlighted the existing challenges faced by athletes in Iran. All of these factors were known well before the tournament commenced.”
“As the situation evolves, it has only grown more complicated with the recent bombings by the U.S. and Israel. We will continue our efforts to address these issues. There are significant lessons to learn from our current circumstances, and many areas for improvement.”