Iranian woman player returns home, declines asylum offer

Two members of the Iranian women’s soccer delegation, striker Mohaddeseh Zolfi and support staffer Zahra Soltan Moshkehkar, accepted asylum in Australia, following five players who previously secured refuge. However, one individual reversed her decision and chose to return to Iran after discussions with teammates. Concerns for the players’ safety have escalated after Iranian state media labeled them “traitors” for not singing the national anthem during a recent match. The remaining team members have since traveled to Kuala Lumpur en route to Iran.

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