Australia\u2019s responsibilities for the welfare of the Iran women\u2019s football team are not over, as advocates expect more players to seek asylum amid a frantic but \u201cdelicate\u201d effort to inform the entire squad of their rights.<\/p>\n
Five of the players, led by captain Zahra Ghanbari, were formally granted protection in Australia by home affairs minister Tony Burke early on Tuesday morning. The group has already been given an offer to train with A-League Women club Brisbane Roar.<\/p>\n
The other team members remain in their Gold Coast hotel as advocates work to link the players with lawyers who can assist them in understanding their options and protection available in Australia.<\/p>\n
Those connected to the group expect more \u2013 including possibly some staff \u2013 to make the decision to stay in Australia. But the group is still under surveillance by the minders around the team.<\/p>\n
Burke said on Tuesday morning the group given protection broke out in a spontaneous chant of \u201cAussie, Aussie, Aussie, oi, oi, oi\u201d to celebrate receiving their Australian papers.<\/p>\n
He added the rest of the squad is remaining at the hotel with the team\u2019s entourage, which has been linked to the Iranian regime. \u201cWe are making sure there are further opportunities where if people want to make a request [to stay] they get that opportunity,\u201d Burke said.<\/p>\n
Legal experts have expressed concern over possible offences committed under \u201cexit trafficking\u201d legislation, which prohibits the movement of people in and out of Australia using coercion.<\/p>\n
NSW Anti-Slavery Commissioner James Cockayne called for \u201caccountability\u201d for people \u201cundertaking criminal violations of Australian law while in Australia\u201d. He wrote to Australian Federal Police (AFP) commissioner Krissy Barrett on Monday night, referring \u201ca case of suspected exit trafficking for immediate investigation\u201d.<\/p>\n
He said members of the Iranian team, CCTV and other eye-witness accounts could help determine whether crimes have been committed. \u201cThere\u2019s certainly a duty to protect human rights under international law, and that includes robust investigation of credible allegations like we see here. Whether the investigation concludes that there is a criminal offence is for the investigating authorities to determine.\u201d<\/p>\n
He warned the decision to investigate might not only be that of the AFP. \u201cThere are obviously some complex geopolitical and diplomatic sensitivities that will be factors in government decision making on this issue.\u201d<\/p>\n
Prime minister Anthony Albanese has come under international pressure around his handling of the matter, amplified by the intervention of US President Donald Trump through social media posts in the early hours of Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Albanese said it remained a \u201cdelicate\u201d situation, but it will be up to the players to reach out for help. \u201cIt is up to them. But we say to them, if you want our help, help is here, and we will provide that,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n