Fatemeh Pasandideh

Iranian footballers granted asylum after anthem protest at Asian Cup

Iranian women’s national team players Atefeh Ramazani-Sadegh and Fatemeh Pasandideh confirmed in interviews that their refusal to sing Iran’s anthem during the Women’s Asian Cup was a deliberate protest against Tehran and a stand with protesters at home, a move that exposed them to personal risk. The episode sparked international debate, with Iran labeling them traitors and Australia granting asylum to several teammates while others later returned home, highlighting the ongoing tension between athletes, state power and political protests.