Four Iranian women’s team members set to return home after being granted asylum in Australia

The Iranian women’s football team were labeled “wartime traitors” after players refused to sing the country’s national anthem before a match at the Asian Cup tournament. Their plight attracted international attention and even calls for support from the US president, Donald Trump, last week. Photograph: Dave Hunt/AAP Image/Reuters

Three more members of the Iranian women’s football squad have left Australia, having previously sought asylum after playing in the Women’s Asian Cup.

Players Mona Hamoudi, Zahra Sarbali and a team support staff member reportedly left Australia on Saturday night for Kuala Lumpur where they met up with other team members who are returning to Tehran.