23 mins agoStaffer on Iranian women’s soccer team was planted to convince players to return to Iran: activists
A logistics manager part of the Iranian women’s soccer team who initially defected with six players and applied for asylum in Australia before changing her mind was actually planted by the regime to convince players to go back to Iran, activists claim.
Australian Councillor and Iranian Activist Tina Kordrostami said she and other activists believe the staffer was a plant, blasting the Australian government for not vetting the delegation traveling with the soccer team in a statement to Fox News National Correspondent Bryan Llenas.
“The government should have vetted the delegation, they should have informed and educated the officers and personnel, they should have stepped in sooner with intent, they should have not isolated the girls and used them as a photo opportunity,” Kordrostami said.
She told Llenas that players were surprised that the woman — reportedly known as Fleur — was seeking asylum because she has close ties with the regime, and they knew how much she cared for Iran. The woman is an employee of the Iranian Football Federation headed up by a former commander of the IRGC.
Five players initially claimed asylum before the staff member and a sixth player joined them. The the staff member and four players, including the captain, later withdrew their asylum claims are now heading back to Iran.
Just two players, Atefeh and Fatehmeh, remain in Australia. They were seen practicing with the Brisbane Roar FC Soccer team on Monday.