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Two Iranian women’s soccer players, who decided to stay in Australia instead of returning to their country amid the conflict with the US and Israel, were seen training with the club on Monday.
Brisbane Roar posted photos on their Instagram account showing Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh with the team of professionals. It was the first public appearance since it was revealed that they are some of the players who have been granted asylum in the country.
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Iranian soccer player Atefeh Ramezanisadeh kicks the ball during a training session for the Brisbane Roar club in Brisbane, Australia, Monday, March 16, 2026. (Brisbane Roar via AP)
The two players were seen smiling without wearing a hijab as they stood alongside the Roar members.
“We are committed to providing a place to support them as they take their next steps,” Brisbane Roar CEO Kaz Patafta wrote in a social media post.
Ramezanisadeh commented, “Thank you for everything.”
The club plays in the top women’s division of the Australian A-League. The club declined further comment and referred all questions to the Australian Department of Home Affairs. Brisbane offered Iranian women’s soccer players a “training, playing and membership facility” last week.
SOME FOOTBALL PLAYERS OFFERED BY AUSTRALIA CHOOSE TO RETURN HOME, FIELD OFFICIAL SAYS.
Iranian soccer player Fatemeh Pasandideh kicks the ball at the Brisbane Roar club’s training course in Brisbane, Australia, Monday, March 16, 2026. (Brisbane Roar via AP)
The Australian government granted asylum to each member of the Iranian women’s soccer team as they flew back to Iran last week. This protest resulted in seven members of the group remaining in Australia. But at least five left the country to return to their group afterwards.
President Donald Trump was one of the world leaders who called on Australia to grant asylum to the women.
At least one Iranian broadcaster called the women “wartime traitors” as they were not seen singing their national anthem before the Asian Women’s Cup match.
An Iranian official has dismissed suggestions that women will be unsafe when they return home.
“Iran welcomes its children with open arms and the government guarantees their safety,” said Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref. “No one has the right to interfere in the family affairs of the Iranian nation and play the role of a kind nanny than a mother.”
Iranian soccer player Fatemeh Pasandideh, fourth from front right, and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh, fourth from front left, pose for a photo with women’s A-League team Brisbane Roar during a training session in Brisbane, Australia, Monday, March 16, 2026. (Brisbane Roar via AP)
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Some of the group flew from Sydney to Kuala Lumpur and then to Oman.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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