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<\/p>\nAt least seven members of Iran\u2019s women\u2019s football team have now sought asylum in Australia, the ABC understands.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Five of the 13-player squad were granted asylum on Monday, amid fears they would face persecution if they returned home.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Tony Burke with Iranian football team – SUPPLIED (ABC News: Supplied: Department of Home Affairs)<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery single \u2026 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,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI respect their independence and agency with whatever decision they chose.”<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
It is understood the remaining Iranian players departed Sydney International Airport bound for Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday evening.\u00a0<\/p>\n