“Australia is making a terrible humanitarian mistake”

Context:

• On the last day of February, the United States of America, allied with Israel, launched a military attack on Iran.

• The response came immediately from Iran, which attacked several American military bases in the Middle East, in countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar or Bahrain.

• The Iran women's national football team later participated in the Asian Cup, a competition organized in Australia.

• Before the first match, lost 0-3 to South Korea, the Iranian players remained silent during the singing of their country's national anthem. This drew criticism from Iran, who were called “war traitors” on state television. What's more, the footballers risk the death penalty for what happened.

Donald Trump calls for Australia to give political asylum to Iranian players: 'It's making a terrible humanitarian mistake'

The Iran women's national football team was assigned to Group A of the Asian Cup, but was quickly eliminated after 3 consecutive defeats, 0-3 to South Korea, 0-4 to Australia and 0-2 to the Philippines.

Before the first match, Iran's players refused to sing the country's national anthem, a fact that drew a lot of criticism and threats from their home country. In addition, female footballers could even face the death penalty upon returning to Iran.

Donald Trump believes that the Australian Government would be making a huge mistake if they allowed the players to return to Iran, a fact that could sign their death sentence. What's more, Trump has been open to offering the footballers political asylum, should Australia not do so.

“Australia is making a terrible humanitarian mistake if it allows Iran's national women's soccer team to be forced back to Iran, where they will most likely be killed. Don't do that, Mr. Prime Minister! Give them political asylum! The United States will get them if you don't!“, was the message of Donald Trump, published on the official account of X from the White House.

Following the elimination from the Asian Cup, 5 Iranian players were urgently evacuated to a safe place in Australia. Members of the squad were due to return to Iran, but many fear that could be their death sentence after they refused to sing the national anthem before the first match. Hundreds of fans surrounded the Iran national team bus following the elimination, chanting “save our girls!”.

According to the BBC, there were dramatic scenes inside the team hotel on Monday as the players left the lobby as a group after speaking to several activists. Shortly after this, a second group, which included a translator and the head coach, rushed in, visibly panicked, and hurried across the hotel before returning to their rooms.