Australia grants citizenship to Iranian players who sought asylum after Asian Cup

Australia has granted citizenship to two Iranian women's footballers who sought asylum after fearing retaliation from Iran's regime during the Asian Cup in March. Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh received humanitarian visas after several teammates refused to sing Iran's anthem, drawing accusations of treason. They took the citizenship oath in Brisbane, where they now train with Brisbane Roar. Five of seven delegation members who initially received visas returned to Iran; rights groups suspected threats against their families. The episode occurred as US and Israeli forces struck Iran in February.