Australian government urged to protect Iran women’s players labelled ‘wartime traitors’

Iran players sing and salute during the national anthem before playing Australia’s Matildas in a Women’s Asian Cup group game on the Gold Coast. Photograph: Dave Hunt/EPA

The Australian government has been urged to allow the Iran women’s national team players to remain in Australia after a state-aligned conservative commentator in Iran described them as “wartime traitors” and said they must be “dealt with more severely”.

The Iran players are currently competing in the Women’s Asian Cup, and lost 4-0 to the Matildas on the Gold Coast in their second group-stage match on Thursday.