Australia grants citizenship to 2 Iranian women’s soccer players who sought asylum

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Two members of the Iranian women’s soccer team who claimed asylum in Australia in March have been granted citizenship.

Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh said in a statement Thursday that Immigration Minister Tony Burke swore them in the day before at a citizenship ceremony in their Australian home city of Brisbane.

Friends and supporters from the local Iranian community attended the ceremony.

“Yesterday was a truly special and unforgettable day for me. I feel proud and deeply grateful to become an Australian citizen. Australia has given me the opportunity to build my life and my future, and I feel, more than ever, that I belong here,” Ramezanisadeh said in the statement.

Ramezanisadeh said her Iranian roots and memories would always be part of her.

Pasandideh said Wednesday had been “one of the happiest days of my life.”

“I’m incredibly proud and grateful to officially become an Australian citizen. After everything we’ve been through and all the challenges we faced, this moment means more than words can express,” Pasandideh said.

When The Associated Press asked Burke's office for an explanation for why the women’s citizenship was fast-tracked, his department said it could not comment on individual cases for privacy reasons.

The Refugee Council of Australia, a nonprofit umbrella organization representing asylum-seekers, said refugees usually must live in Australia on a valid visa for four years before they can apply for citizenship.

Their citizenship could potentially have been fast-tracked under Australian law to make them eligible to play soccer for Australia.

The Iranians joined Brisbane Roar, a soccer team which plays in Australia’s elite A-League Women’s domestic competition, after they were granted asylum when Iran dropped out of the Women’s Asia Cup that Australia hosted.

They were among seven Iranian women who initially accepted asylum, but five changed their minds within days and returned to the team for reasons undisclosed.

The team had arrived in Australia before the United States and Israel attacked Iran in February.

Concerns for the team’s welfare at home were raised when players decided against singing the Iranian national anthem before their first match of the tournament.

Protesters demanding asylum for the team widely cited Iranian sports commentator Mohammad Reza Shahbazi calling the women “wartime traitors” in a television broadcast.

U.S. President Donald Trump used social media to call for the team to be granted asylum and telephoned Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on the issue.