The President of the United States, Donald Trump, intervened this Monday in the case of several players from the Iranian women's national football team who fear returning to their country, and he urged the Australian government to grant them asylum.
“I just spoke a moment ago with the Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese, about the Iranian women's national soccer team. He is taking action! Five have already been taken care of and the rest are on the way,” Trump wrote on his social media Truth Social.
The official added that some of the players are considering returning to Iran due to threats against their families. “However, some feel they must go back because they are worried about the safety of their families, including threats against those family members if they do not return,” he stated.
Trump also praised the Australian Prime Minister's handling of the situation. “The Prime Minister is doing a very good job with this quite delicate situation. God bless Australia!” he added.
According to the agency EFE, the U.S. president had also previously asked Australia to grant asylum to the female soccer players and stated that the United States is willing to accept them if the oceanic country does not agree to shelter them.
The case has generated international concern after Iranian players were labeled "traitors" by their country's authorities for not singing the national anthem during their debut in the Asia Cup, in a match against South Korea.
The athletes did sing the anthem at subsequent matches, but some fear possible reprisals if they return to Iran, amid rising tensions due to the war between the United States and Iran.
Human rights organizations and the international footballers' union FIFPRO for Asia and Oceania have called for guarantees regarding the safety of players due to the risks they may face when returning to the Islamic Republic.
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