Two Iranian footballers who defied Tehran during the Women’s Asian Cup have now become Australian citizens, marking a major turn in the Iran footballers asylum case. Atefeh Ramezanisadeh, 34, and Fatemeh Pasandideh, 22, were naturalised in Brisbane, Queensland, on Wednesday after first arriving in Australia on humanitarian visas.
The pair were among seven members of Iran’s national team who received those visas while in Australia in March. The other five later changed their minds and went back to Iran. Their case drew attention after the team refused to sing the Iranian anthem at its opening match, a decision that came just days after the US-Israeli war against Iran began.
Ramezanisadeh described the day as “truly special and unforgettable,” while Pasandideh said the moment meant more than words could express. Both women received their citizenship certificates at a ceremony attended by Australian Interior Minister Tony Burke. Pasandideh said it was a new beginning and a place she was proud to call home.
The Iran footballers asylum case developed under pressure from the Iranian community in Australia, which initially pushed authorities to give the players a chance to seek asylum. In the end, only Ramezanisadeh and Pasandideh took that step. Officials had not doubted that both would become citizens, but the timing lands as the Australian government prepares tougher visa rules aimed at reducing migration.
