Australia has granted citizenship to Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh, members of the Iranian women’s soccer team, the Associated Press (AP) reported. They claimed political asylum in the country in March.
Seven players applied for political asylum after Iran withdrew from the Women’s Asia Cup in Australia, but five changed their minds within days and returned to the team for unknown reasons, while Pasandideh and Ramezanizadeh ultimately decided to stay in the country. After receiving asylum, they joined Brisbane Roar FC, a soccer team that plays in Australia’s elite women’s A-League domestic competition.
In March, before the first match of the tournament, some of Iran’s players decided against singing the Iranian national anthem, leading to concerns about the safety of women players in the country.
They said in a statement on Thursday (August 6) that Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke had sworn them in at a citizenship ceremony in Brisbane the previous day.
Expressing her feelings after receiving citizenship, Ramezanisadeh said, “I feel proud and deeply grateful to become an Australian citizen.”
The Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA), an organization representing asylum seekers, said that refugees are typically required to live in Australia on a valid visa for four years before applying for citizenship, according to the AP.
Meanwhile, Pasandideh described the day she received citizenship as one of the happiest days of her life and said, “I’m incredibly proud and grateful to officially become an Australian citizen. After everything we’ve been through and all the challenges we faced, this moment means more than words can express.”
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