Two more Iranian football squad members granted humanitarian visas in Australia, minister confirms

Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed that two more members of the Iranian women's football team have been granted humanitarian visas, bringing the total to seven. The player and support staff member sought asylum before the rest of the team departed Sydney for Malaysia on Tuesday night. Burke met with the women at Brisbane airport and offered them visas with a pathway to permanent residency, which they accepted. This follows the granting of visas to five other team members earlier in the week. The remaining squad members arrived in Malaysia on Wednesday. The Australian government had encouraged other team members to seek asylum if they wished, especially after controversy arose when the team didn't sing the national anthem, leading to fears of reprisal.

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