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

Two former Iranian women's soccer players who sought refuge in Australia have revealed that their decision to refrain from singing the national anthem during the Women's Asian Cup in March was a political protest against Tehran. Atefeh Ramezanisadeh, 34, and Fatemeh Pasandideh, 22, spoke with Australia's "60 Minutes" program about their actions, conducted through an interpreter.

Ramezanisadeh stated, "We just wanted to stand with our people. I was scared at times, but I just tried to do what was right and say that no one should be killed just for protesting." The team faced criticism in Iran and was labeled as traitors by the media for remaining silent when the national anthem played before their opening loss against South Korea on March 2.

Some viewed it as resistance, while others saw it as a tribute to the ongoing protests against Iran's theocratic rule, which began on February 28. The players provided no public explanation for their silence, but Ramezanisadeh explained, "But at that moment, the only thing that gave me peace and a clear conscience was not singing it.

I wanted to sing the anthem with pride and from my heart. But because of the situation in Iran, I really couldn't do it."