Iran women’s soccer team greeted with a welcome ceremony in Tehran
AP News • • sports
Key Points:
- Members of Iran’s national women’s soccer team were warmly welcomed back in Iran after some players sought asylum in Australia following the Women’s Asian Cup.
- Midfielder Fatemeh Shaban expressed happiness about returning to Iran, calling it their homeland, and was surprised by the large crowd greeting the team.
- Two players, Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh, chose to remain in Australia and are training with the Brisbane Roar club, while others who initially sought asylum decided to return.
- The team attracted international attention after some players remained silent during Iran’s national anthem at the Asian Cup, an act interpreted as either protest or mourning, though the players did not publicly explain their actions
