\n<\/p>\n
The pair that remained were separated from the rest of the squad at their hotel on the Gold Coast \u2013 after indicating they would like to remain – and taken to a police facility in Brisbane, Immigration Minister Tony Burke said.<\/p>\n
All will be fast-tracked to permanent residency, he said. <\/p>\n
The offer to stay was reiterated to “most” of the remainder of the delegation at Sydney Airport before they were due to leave the country on Tuesday night, he continued.<\/p>\n
Burke said a “very significant” police presence at Sydney Airport ensured players were separated from minders while they talked to officials one-on-one through a translator, and were given the chance to call family.<\/p>\n
None of them chose to accept the offer to stay, Burke said, but he added that one person got on the plane “quite late” after conversations with family.<\/p>\n
“That individual made their own decision,” Burke said \u2013 noting that there had been no pressure on them to take the flight.<\/p>\n
He added a small number of the travelling group were not invited to stay \u2013 thought to be a reference to be Iranian government minders.<\/p>\n
“There are some leaving Australia who I am glad are not in Australia,” he said.<\/p>\n
The team arrived at Sydney Airport from the Gold Coast, where the Asia Cup is being held, on Tuesday evening. Members of the Australian-Iranian community gathered there to support them and to protest against them returning to Iran.<\/p>\n
They said some members of the team had signalled for help. <\/p>\n
Burke, quoted by the ABC, said Border Force officials had made “multiple representations to the team” before they left Sydney, “including private meetings”.<\/p>\n
Local media reported that at least one person refused to board their later flight to Malaysia on their way back to Iran. <\/p>\n
But some of the players – who were accompanied by chaperones – reportedly told reporters that they wanted to go back to Iran.<\/p>\n
Australia’s humanitarian visa programme grants permanent protection to refugees and people in humanitarian need. Visa holders can live, work and study in the country.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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