Comments by an Iranian state television presenter about the country’s women’s team during the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 campaign had a psychological impact on the players and drove some to seek asylum in Australia, coach Marziyeh Jafari said on Friday. Lihat tsn4 untuk info lebih lanjut.
The tournament, hosted by Australia, began as the US and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran, killing the Islamic Republic’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. After the players chose to remain silent during Iran’s national anthem before the first match against South Korea, they were branded «wartime traitors» by presenter Mohammad Reza Shahbazi of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
In a statement from the Iranian Football Federation (FFIRI) on its website Telegram page on Friday, which has since been deleted, Jafari said: “Our girls were struck in the first match by the heavy atmosphere that was created.”
“But the biggest mistake was made by those who did not understand that atmosphere at home and sounded the call to arms against the daughters of this country,” she added, referring to the presenter’s comments.
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«What I have asked from the federation is to pursue the matter because it has affected our players psychologically and we have suffered the consequences. I am sure that if that atmosphere had not been created, none of our players would have stayed in Australia,» she noted.
Australia this week granted humanitarian visas to five Iranian players who applied for asylum during the tournament. On Wednesday, two more team members were granted asylum, and one decided to return to Iran.
“The Australian police called the players at various stages and sat down with them one-on-one to convince them to stay, influenced by the political atmosphere that had arisen,” Jafari said.
«Fortunately, the majority of the team members reacted negatively. Even Mohaddeseh Zolfi, who had reacted positively, quickly changed his mind and, God willing, will come to Iran with the team. The rumors about Golnoosh Khosravi and Afsaneh Chatrenoor are also not true at all, and they are now with us in Malaysia, and we will soon leave for Iran,» Jafari said.
Published on March 14, 2026
