According to multiple media reports, five players from the Iran women’s national football team have fled their hotel in Australia and sought protection from local police, affected by the incident of not singing the national anthem in the first match.Iran’s state television had previously labeled them “traitors in wartime” and called for them to be punished. If convicted of treason, the relevant penalty can be as high as the death penalty.
Presenter Mohammad Reza Shahbazi said on Iran’s state TV program: “Allow me to say this: traitors in wartime must be treated more harshly. Anyone who acts against the country under wartime conditions should face stricter punishment. Just like the members of our women’s national football team who refused to sing the national anthem… these people must be dealt with more severely.”
In response, FIFPRO Asia-Oceania issued a statement calling on the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and FIFA to take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of the Iranian women’s national team players.
Sources have revealed that out of concerns for their own safety, the five Iranian women’s footballers fled the team, left their hotel in Australia, and are now in a safe location under police protection.
The incident took place after Iran’s women’s national team match against the Philippines women’s national team, with police assisting the five players in leaving the hotel.
Earlier this week, representatives from the Australian government explained the available options to the team, and the players were found missing during the regular dinner on Monday.
Sources told CNN that the Iranian women’s national team players were forced to sing the national anthem ahead of their second AFC Women’s Asian Cup match.
Iran’s women’s national team lost all three matches in the Asian Cup and finished bottom of the group, having played their final group match yesterday.
