Australia grants citizenship to two Iranian women soccer players who sought asylum

Two Iranian women soccer players who claimed asylum in Australia in March have been granted citizenship. Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh were sworn in Wednesday in Brisbane. The players said in a Thursday statement that Immigration Minister Tony Burke administered the oath, with friends and local Iranian community members attending. The pair had joined Brisbane Roar after receiving asylum when Iran withdrew from the Women’s Asia Cup. Refugees usually must wait four years to apply for citizenship, but Australia could have fast-tracked eligibility to play for the national team. Five other Iranian players initially accepted asylum but changed their minds.