Iran women footballers receive Australian citizenship

Two former Iran women’s footballers who stayed in Australia after an asylum episode received Australian citizenship in Brisbane on Wednesday, Iran International reported.

Fatemeh Pasandideh, 22, and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh, 34, did not board the plane home from Australia. Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke attended the ceremony, and that both players now train with Brisbane Roar’s women’s side.

Ramezanisadeh wrote that citizenship was "more than a certificate" and "a symbol of hope, safety and the opportunity to build a new future," according to Iran International. Pasandideh remembered "those who lost their lives or remain in prison".

Seven members of Iran’s traveling party in Australia moved weeks later to seek humanitarian protection. Five returned to Iran amid fear for families, the presence of federation security officers and reports of pressure, including threats attributed to the Revolutionary Guards, according to the report.