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- Marziyeh Jafari’s stated some stars were ‘affected by the heavy atmosphere’
Ominous comments from an Iranian state television presenter about the national women’s team at the Asian Cup affected the players psychologically and drove some to seek asylum in Australia, according to women’s national team coach Marziyeh Jafari.
The tournament in Australia started just as the US and Israel launched air strikes on Iran, killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
After the team opted to stand in silence during Iran’s anthem before their first match against South Korea on March 2 on the Gold Coast, they were labelled as ‘wartime traitors’ by state TV presenter Mohammad Reza Shahbazi.
In a statement posted by Iran’s football federation (FFIRI) on its Telegram page on Friday – which has since been deleted – Jafari said: ‘Our girls were affected in the first match by the heavy atmosphere that had been created.
‘But the greater mistake was made by those who, at home, failed to understand that atmosphere and sounded the call to arms against the daughters of this land,’ she added, referring to the presenter’s comments.
‘What I have asked of the federation is to pursue the matter, because it affected our players psychologically, and we suffered the consequences.
Iran’s Asian Cup coach Marziyeh Jafari has outlined why she believes some of her players chose to seek asylum in Australia
In a since-deleted statement posted by Iran’s football federation (FFIRI), Jafari said: ‘Our girls were affected in the first match by the heavy atmosphere that had been created’
Five Iranian stars after they were granted humanitarian visas to stay in Australia (pictured, with the Minister for Home Affairs Tony Burke)
Mohaddeseh Zolfi later withdrew her application and expressed her intention to return to Iran
‘I am certain that if that atmosphere had not been created, not a single one of our players would have stayed in Australia.’
Australia this week granted humanitarian visas to five Iranian players who sought asylum during the tournament.
Two more squad members were granted asylum on Wednesday, and one decided to return to Iran.
‘Australian police called the players in several stages and sat down with them one-on-one to (try and) persuade them to stay,’ Jafari said.
‘Fortunately, the majority of the team members responded negatively.
‘Even Mohaddeseh Zolfi, who had responded positively, soon changed her mind.’
In a move few saw coming, midfielder Zolfi reconsidered her decision to stay and informed the Iranian embassy of her intention to return home.
Tony Burke, Australia’s Home Affairs Minister, confirmed Zolfi had the final say on her future.
‘Australia is a country where people can freely change their minds,’ he said.
‘We respect her decision…and we also made her fully aware of the potential risks she would face if she returned to Iran.’
