Chaotic scenes have unfolded as the Iranian women’s football team tried to leave their hotel on the Gold Coast on Tuesday afternoon, with protesters trying to block the side’s bus from departing.
The dramatic twist comes after a simple four-word message sent from thousands of kilometres away proved to be the final straw that convinced five players to make a dramatic break for freedom.
One member of the Iranian team appeared to be dragged onto the bus by a teammate before the demonstrators lay on the ground in front of the vehicle.
Queensland Police cars were in a convoy accompanying the Iranians’ bus to the airport.
One officer told the Daily Mail that one of the protesters supporting team members had ‘rammed’ the bus.
The demonstrators were chanting ‘save our girls’ as they lay in front of the vehicle.
Supporters surrounded the team bus while chanting ‘save our girls’ in chaotic scenes as the Iranian team’s bus tried to leave their Gold Coast hotel on Tuesday afternoon (pictured)
Several protesters are pictured lying and kneeling on the ground in an attempt to block the vehicle, which was taking the team to Coolangatta Airport
Five Iranian footballers fled their team hotel after a four-word message from home convinced them to seek safety in Australia (pictured, Iranian team members during the national anthem before a match on March 8)
It has been reported that the message which prompted the stars to seek asylum was relayed via contacts from one player’s family in Iran. It read: ‘You need to stay.’
Within hours of receiving the message, the players escaped the Royal Pines Resort and were moved to a safe location by Australian police.
Immigration Minister Tony Burke later confirmed the women had been granted humanitarian visas after urgent discussions between the players and Australian officials.
‘They want to be clear they are not political activists. They are athletes who want to be safe,’ Burke told News Corp.
The five women who sought protection have been identified as Fatemeh Pasandideh, Zahra Ghanbari, Zahra Sarbali, Atefeh Ramazanzadeh and Mona Hamoudi.
While the five players are now expected to remain in Australia under humanitarian protection, the fate of their teammates remains uncertain.
Australia had knocked back the visas of some officials, sources familiar with the matter told AAP, but there were concerns that handlers were coercing the remaining players to return to Iran and not apply for asylum.
The Home Affairs Department would not confirm how many visas were refused on security or character grounds, citing privacy restrictions.
Protesters (pictured) fear the players could face severe punishment once they return home after refusing to sing Iran’s anthem at an Asian Cup match
Iranian state media labelled the players ‘wartime traitors’ after they declined to sing the national anthem (pictured, one of the protesters at the team hotel)
‘The Department of Home Affairs works with law enforcement and intelligence partners to cancel or refuse visas of non-citizens who are at risk to Australia’s national security,’ a spokesperson said in a statement.
Protesters outside the Royal Pines Resort on Tuesday were flying the Lion and Sun flag, which was Iran’s national flag before the country’s revolution in 1979.
Footage and photos from the scene show dozens of supporters gathered near the entrance as the vehicle attempted to leave under police supervision.
At one point a man sat down directly in front of the bus in a bid to stop it from departing, forcing Queensland Police officers to intervene and move him away.
Another lay on the ground while adults and children stood and kneeled in the path of the vehicle with their hands raised, only to be moved on.
Sources have told the Daily Mail the team is scheduled to fly to Sydney tonight before flying out of the country.
Activists warn that the decision facing the remaining players is an agonising one.
Many fear severe punishment if they return home, and are equally worried about the safety of their families if they remain overseas.
The extraordinary chain of events began after the Iranian team refused to sing their national anthem before a match against South Korea earlier in the tournament.
The gesture was widely interpreted as a sign of protest against the regime back home.
Within days, the players were being fiercely criticised on Iranian state television, with one conservative commentator branding them ‘wartime traitors’ and calling for harsh punishment.
Supporters and activists quickly became concerned that the athletes could face severe repercussions if they returned to Iran.
A police officer told the Daily Mail that one of the protesters had ‘rammed’ the team bus (pictured, police and a demonstrator on Tuesday afternoon)
Pictured: Protesters surrounding the team bus on Sunday night, with one player making a sign through the window to beg for help
Iran players filmed the protests and one reportedly gave the international sign for SOS
Those fears only intensified as tensions in the Middle East escalated and reports emerged that players’ families back home were being threatened.
Behind the scenes, members of Australia’s Iranian community began quietly coordinating efforts to help the players if they decided to seek asylum.
Iranian-Australian councillor Tina Kordrostami travelled to the Gold Coast and met with several members of the team in the lobby of the hotel.
‘I told them, ‘we have a plan for you. We are not going anywhere’,’ she said.
The players, however, remained deeply conflicted about whether to make the move, worried that their actions could place relatives in Iran at risk.
It was only after the message from home arrived urging them to remain in Australia that their decision finally crystallised.
Within hours the plan was put into motion. The group slipped out of the hotel and was quickly taken to a secure location by police.
Burke later revealed the decision to grant humanitarian visas was finalised early Tuesday morning.
He said the applications were signed off at about 1.30am.
‘Australia has taken the Iranian women’s soccer team into our hearts,’ Burke said.
‘These women are tremendously popular in Australia.’
The dramatic developments unfolded against a backdrop of emotional scenes during the tournament itself.
Hundreds of supporters surrounded the Iranian team bus after one match, chanting ‘save our girls’ and waving flags in solidarity with the players.
Activists say the team had been under intense scrutiny by officials travelling with the delegation.
Former Socceroos captain Craig Foster said the athletes faced serious pressure and could not freely speak with supporters.
‘They’ve been held hostage by the Iranian team management in their hotel,’ he said.
‘They can’t speak freely because they are threatened.’
US President Donald Trump also weighed in on the situation, urging Australia to grant asylum.
‘Australia should give asylum,’ Trump wrote on Truth Social. ‘The US will take them if you won’t.’
He later added he had spoken with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and that ‘five have already been taken care of.’
