Iranian Footballers Granted Australian Citizenship

Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh were granted Australian citizenship on Wednesday. The players had refused to sing the national anthem during the Asian Championship in March and sought asylum amid the war in Iran. While five other players have since returned to Iran, Pasandideh and Ramezanisadeh remain in the country. Interior Minister Tony Burke presented the citizenships, with Ramezanisadeh expressing joy at her new status. playerbros.org

Human rights groups have accused the Iranian regime of pressuring the players to return, while Iran has accused Australia of pressuring them to defect.