Australia on Tuesday agreed to provide visas to five Iranian women's soccer players to stay in the country, after US President Donald Trump urged Canberra not to send them back to Tehran due to concerns over their safety.
Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke told reporters the other members of the team were welcome to stay in Australia as well, noting that the initial five players wanted to stay.
The team is in Australia for the Asian Cup tournament.
Trump said on Monday he had spoken to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese about the Iranian women's soccer team after reports that five players had sought asylum in Australia.
Team safe with Australian police
The five team members have left their hotel and are being kept safe by police, Burke announced, after videos circulated online showing the team apparently signaling for help while being driven away in their coach.
The players stood silent last week during the Iranian national anthem, which was interpreted by hardliners in Iran as a sign of treason.
Sources told CNN that the players were forced to sing before their later matches and perform the military salute.
After losing their match, the women were apparently recorded signing “Help” from the team’s coach, though the footage from the event is somewhat unclear.