Two members of the Iranian women’s national soccer team who sought asylum in Australia have confirmed that their decision to stand silent during the national anthem at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in March was an intentional act of protest against Tehran.
Speaking publicly for the first time on Australia’s 60 Minutes current affairs program, Atefeh Ramezanisadeh, 34, and Fatemeh Pasandideh, 22, rejected initial speculation that the gesture was an act of mourning following military strikes on Iran, stating instead that it was aimed directly at the Iranian government's crackdown on anti-regime demonstrators.
"We just wanted to stand with our people," Ramezanisadeh told the Nine Network through an interpreter. She acknowledged that remaining silent brought severe risk, noting the defiance "could have meant any form of torture," but stated it was the only choice that granted her a clear conscience.
Pasandideh emphasized that the team's silence was a duty to those risking their lives in Iran. "My people put their lives on the line and they were killed," Pasandideh said through an interpreter. "Doing that was the absolute least we could do for them".
According to an Associated Press report published on September 7, 2026, the silence before their March 2 match against South Korea led to state media in Iran branding the squad as traitors. Australian Immigration Minister Tony Burke described the incident as a pivotal moment, stating, "The silence of itself was deeply significant. The reaction was the volcanic moment".
While seven delegation members initially accepted humanitarian visa offers, five ultimately opted to return home over family safety concerns. Ramezanisadeh revealed that her parents, urged by Iranian authorities, pleaded with her to return, but she refused to compromise her stance.
Both athletes received Australian citizenship in August 2026 and currently play semi-professional football for the Wynnum Wolves in Brisbane.
