Iranian footballers Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh have confirmed they want to continue their elite careers in Australia, having sought asylum following the end of their Womenโs Asian Cup campaign.
The pair made headlines when they fled a Gold Coast hotel, after Iranian state media deemed them โtraitorsโ for refusing to sing the national anthem.
They were among seven who initially accepted humanitarian visas to remain in Australia โ joined by four teammates and a staffer.
Pasandideh and Ramezanisadeh have spent time training with the Brisbane Roarโs A-League Womenโs squad, sparking rumours the pair could join the Queensland side.
The players released a joint statement through a public affairs firm, which was shared with media by Brisbane Roar, declaring their hopes to continue their careers in Australia.
โWe wish to express our deepest gratitude to the Australian government, and particularly Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, for granting us humanitarian protection and a safe haven in this beautiful country,โ the statement read.
โThe compassion and support shown to us during this challenging time has provided us with hope for a future where we can live and compete in safety.
โWe also thank the dedicated Home Affairs staff who have supported us in recent weeks. We are overwhelmed by the warmth and generosity of the Iranian diaspora community in Australia. Your support has made us feel welcome and less alone as we navigate this transition.
โAt this stage, our primary focus is on our safety, our health and beginning the process of rebuilding our lives. We are elite athletes, and it remains our dream to continue our sporting careers here in Australia.โ
Roar coach Alex Smith told media last month the club was impressed by the skills of the pair after they trained with the team.
โIt was just a privilege for us to open our doors and put a smile on the two girlsโ faces โ I think itโs the first time theyโd laughed in a week. It was a no-brainer for us โฆ and to be fair, they didnโt put a foot wrong,โ he said.
โThey fit into the group really well, but sometimes itโs bigger than the game of football.โ
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