- Fatsemah Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh stayed in Australia
Two Iranian footballers who sought asylum in Australia – and did not return residence with their teammates – have revealed their future plans: constructing a brand new life Down Beneath.
Fatemah Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh arrived on native shores in late February with Iran’s girls’s nationwide soccer group to compete within the AFC Ladies’s Asian Cup.
Fears have been sparked for his or her security after the footballers boldly refused to sing Iran’s nationwide anthem on reside tv forward of a conflict towards South Korea on the Gold Coast.
The gamers have been branded wartime ‘traitors’ by Iranian state media after the outbreak of conflict between the US, Israel and Iran.
Earlier than their scheduled departure from Australia, seven members of the delegation have been supplied humanitarian visas by Residence Affairs Minister Tony Burke.
In the end, all however Pasandideh and Ramezanisadeh finally selected to return residence.
Two former Iranian footballers who sought asylum in Australia have revealed their subsequent focus – constructing a brand new life Down Beneath (pictured from left, Atefeh Ramezanisadeh and Fatemeh Pasandideh)
Fatemeh Pasandideh is pictured coaching with Brisbane Roar FC’s A-League girls’s squad
On the time, Iran’s Tasnim information company said the Iranian gamers had been subjected to ‘psychological warfare, intensive propaganda and seductive provides’ in Australia.
However on Friday, Pasandideh and Ramezanisadeh launched a joint assertion thanking the federal authorities for his or her ‘compassion and assist.’
‘We want to categorical our deepest gratitude to the Australian Authorities, and significantly Residence Affairs Minister Tony Burke, for granting us humanitarian safety and a protected haven on this lovely nation,’ the assertion learn.
‘The compassion and assist proven to us throughout this difficult time has offered us with hope for a future the place we will reside and compete in security.’
Additionally they thanked the ‘devoted’ Residence Affairs officers for his or her assist.
‘We’re overwhelmed by the heat and generosity of the Iranian diaspora neighborhood in Australia,’ the assertion learn.
‘Your assist has made us really feel welcome and fewer alone as we navigate this transition.
‘At this stage, our major focus is on our security, our well being and starting the method of rebuilding our lives.
5 members of the Iran girls’s soccer group with Residence Affairs minister Tony Burke
‘We’re elite athletes, and it stays our dream to proceed our sporting careers right here in Australia.’
It’s understood each Pasandideh and Ramezanisadeh want to play within the A-League Ladies’s competitors – however whether or not they can safe contracts stays to be seen.
The duo ended their assertion by emphasising they need to regulate to life in Australia away from the highlight.
‘We respectfully ask the media for privateness and house presently,’ the assertion continued.
‘We is not going to be making any additional feedback or conducting interviews within the speedy future.’
