At least seven members of Iran’s women’s football team have now sought asylum in Australia, the ABC understands.
Five of the 13-player squad were granted asylum on Monday, amid fears they would face persecution if they returned home.
Sources have told the ABC that figure has now risen to at least two more, including one who is understood to have refused to board a flight at Sydney airport at the last minute.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, who was at the airport, said border force officials made multiple representations to the team before departing Sydney, including in private meetings.
Tony Burke with Iranian football team – SUPPLIED (ABC News: Supplied: Department of Home Affairs)
“Every single … member of that team was put in a situation where they were just with Home Affairs officials, where the people who might put pressure on them were nowhere near them at all, and they were given a choice,” he said.
“I respect their independence and agency with whatever decision they chose.”
Acknowledging concerns some may have about their family’s welfare if they were to defect, Mr Burke said the players were given the opportunity to speak with loved ones.
“People could contact family members, they had all the time that they needed and we also made sure that there wasn’t pressure from us,” he said.
“We never told anyone it was time to end the meeting. If people wanted to stay and keep talking and miss that plane, they had agency to do that, as well.”
Scores of supporters gathered at the airport this evening and crowds broke into cheers when word spread that a further two players had chosen to stay in Australia.
It is understood the remaining Iranian players departed Sydney International Airport bound for Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday evening.
The team had been labelled “traitors” on Iranian state television after a number of players refused to sing the national anthem before their opening match with South Korea at the Women’s Asian Cup earlier this month.
Under the Islamic Republic’s penal code, corruption or treason can lead to lengthy prison sentences or the death penalty.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the time said the government was willing to provide assistance to other women in the team.
Who are the Iranian players granted asylum?
Mr Burke confirmed with ASIO that all the asylum seekers had the necessary security clearance before meeting them and signing their applications for temporary humanitarian visas.
The visas are valid for 12 months and provide a pathway to permanent residency.
These types of visas have previously been granted to Ukrainians, Palestinians and people from Afghanistan.
Mr Burke said he would provide further updates on the asylum seekers on Wednesday.