Iranian soccer players who sought asylum in Australia say anthem silence was protest against Tehran

Two Iranian women's soccer players, Atefeh Ramezanisadeh and Fatemeh Pasandideh, have revealed that their decision to refuse singing the national anthem during the Women's Asian Cup in March was a protest against Tehran. The women, who sought asylum in Australia, stated that their refusal was an act of solidarity with their people and a response to Tehran's brutal crackdown on nationwide demonstrations against Iran’s theocratic rule.

They acknowledged that their silence could have meant torture and expressed their desire to stand with their people, even if it meant facing persecution in their homeland.