Two Iranian soccer players who sought asylum in Australia after participating in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup earlier this year have been granted Australian citizenship.
Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh took part in the Asian Cup match between Iran and the Philippines in March, but concerns grew for the Iranian players after some refused to sing their country’s anthem.
Seven members of the Iranian delegation, six players and one staff member, sought asylum.
However, five women ultimately decided to return to Iran following allegations of threats from the Iranian regime, leaving only Pasandideh and Ramezanisadeh in Australia.
Taking to Instagram on Aug. 6, Pasandideh shared a photo of her citizenship certificate alongside Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke.
“After everything we’ve been through, today feels like a new beginning,” she said.
“I want to sincerely thank Australia for giving us the opportunity to build a new life, and I am deeply grateful to the Iranian community for all the support, kindness, and efforts they made for us along the way.
“From today on, I will do my best to be a responsible citizen and to contribute to Australia’s success and future.”
Pasandideh said she would never forget her Iranian roots, and would do her best to keep Iran’s name alive, honouring those who had lost their lives in the fight for freedom and who were suffering currently in prison.
“Thank you, Australia, for welcoming me home,” she said.
Ramezanisadeh also shared her new citizenship on Instragram.
“Some journeys aren’t chosen, they choose you,” she wrote.
“I never imagined I would leave the country where I was born, where I grew up, and where I proudly wore my national team’s jersey.
Ramezanisadeh said her citizenship represented hope, safety and the chance to build a new future.
“I‘ll always carry my roots with me and I’ll always be grateful for this new beginning,” she said, signing off with a heart and an Australian flag.
The Human Rights Law Centre said it was now urging the Australian government to extend citizenship to more Iranians in Australia who had formerly lived in offshore detention.
“Many have close family members, including children and spouses, who are Australian citizens or permanent residents,” legal director Laura John said in comments obtained by AAP.
Early this year, the Australian government called the people of Iran “brave“ in their struggle against oppression after protests against the Islamic regime in January were met with a deadly crackdown.
Prior to that, Australia designated the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a state sponsor of terrorism after authorities determined the group had masterminded two attacks targeting the Jewish community in Australia in 2024, including the firebombing of the Adass Israel Synagogue.
Australia also took the unprecedented step of expelling Iran’s ambassador and suspending operations at its embassy in Tehran.
“Our government has sanctioned more than 200 Iranian-linked individuals, including more than 100 linked to the IRGC,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a statement earlier this year.
“We have called for the Iranian regime to uphold the human rights and fundamental freedoms of Iran’s citizens.
“These calls have gone unheeded.”
