By Ismet Mikailogullari GURBULAK, Turkey, March 18 (Reuters) - The Iranian women's soccer team crossed the Turkish border into Iran on Wednesday to complete a fraught return journey from Australia,
Iranian Women's Soccer Players Return Home After Withdrawing Asylum Claims
Background and Details of the Iranian Women's Soccer Team's Return
By Ismet Mikailogullari
Journey from Australia to Iran
GURBULAK, Turkey, March 18 (Reuters) - The Iranian women's soccer team crossed the Turkish border into Iran on Wednesday to complete a fraught return journey from Australia, after five members withdrew asylum claims they had lodged there.
Humanitarian Visas and Asylum Claims
Australia had granted humanitarian visas to six players and one support staff member after they sought asylum, saying they feared possible persecution if they returned to Iran.
Safety Concerns and Political Context
Concerns over their safety surfaced when several players failed to sing the national anthem at a women's Asian Cup match earlier this month after the United States and Israel launched the war against Iran. Iranian state television had labelled them "wartime traitors".
The Return Journey
Travel Route and Border Crossing
The team, which flew into Istanbul on Tuesday, took a flight to Igdir in eastern Turkey on Wednesday morning.
The players emerged from Igdir Airport pulling their luggage and chatted in front of the terminal before boarding a bus to the border. One of them briefly smiled and waved at a TV camera before the bus departed. After a trip of around two hours to the frontier, they went through passport control at the Gurbulak border gate before crossing over into Iran.
Asian Cup Campaign and Elimination
The team's Asian Cup campaign began just as the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. They were eliminated from the tournament more than a week ago.
Asylum Withdrawal and Team Reunification
Changing Decisions and Media Reports
Five of those who had sought asylum in Australia subsequently changed their minds and decided to return home, with Australian media reporting the latest withdrawal on Monday.
Rejoining the Squad
They rejoined the rest of the squad in Kuala Lumpur, where the team had been staying since leaving Sydney last week.
Statement from the Iranian Football Association
The Iranian Football Association (FFIRI) said last week those who had changed their minds would travel home with the rest of the team "to once again be embraced by their families and homeland."
Players Remaining in Australia
Two players are still in Australia and have been pictured training with a local A-League club.
(Reporting by Ismet Mikailogullari and Ali Kucukgocmen; Writing by Daren Butler; Editing by Jonathan Spicer, Alexandra Hudson)
