With concern rising over the players’ treatment once they return home, there is a push to support the women to seek asylum in Australia, if they wish.
It’s unclear whether any player would want that – or, if they did, what repercussions there might be for their families as a result.
“They’ve been held hostage by the Iranian team management in their hotel and they’ve been denied the opportunity to speak to external community members, friends, family or any support networks, be that lawyers or anyone else,” said Foster, who played a key part in helping the Afghanistan women’s team flee the Taliban in 2021.
“Some may have concerns, others may not – but what we know is most of them have families back home, some of them have children back home, and even if offered the right to remain in Australia, if they feel unsafe, many of them may not accept that opportunity,” he says.
“What’s most important is that that offer is made.”
In Sunday’s post-match news conference, the team’s manager Marziyeh Jafari said: “We are impatiently waiting to return. Personally, I would like to return to my country as soon as possible and be with my compatriots and family.”
Australia’s government has so far resisted being drawn into the discussion.
“We stand in solidarity with the men and women of Iran, and particularly Iranian women and girls,” Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong told ABC on Sunday, ahead of the match.
“Obviously this is a regime that has brutally cracked down on its people.”
As the players’ bus left the stadium on Sunday night, banners declared “Stay Safe in Australia. Talk to Police” and “If your home is not safe – mine is”. Some supporters went further, evading police and trying to impede the vehicle’s progress through narrow roads around the stadium.
The players sat in the vehicle, watched the drama unfold in the rain outside. Some could be seen filming out of the window with phones. There were smiles and waves, but also solemn expressions. At least one passenger could be seen closing curtains on the bus window.
