Two Iranian footballers who refused to sing their national anthem and later sought asylum in Australia are beginning the slow work of rebuilding their lives, buoyed by support from officials, fellow Iranians in exile and the local football community.

Defender Atefeh Ramezanizadeh and goalkeeper Fatemeh Pasandideh were part of Iran’s squad at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, a campaign overshadowed by political tension and scrutiny from Tehran. Their decision, along with several teammates, to remain in Australia after the tournament triggered a diplomatic storm and fierce condemnation in Iranian state media, where they were branded “wartime traitors”.

Seven members of the delegation initially received humanitarian visas: six players and a support staff member. Under pressure and amid fears for their families, five later withdrew their asylum claims and returned to Iran. Ramezanizadeh and Pasandideh chose a different path, accepting an offer to stay and start again in a country they had only known as visiting athletes.

In a joint statement, the pair said the compassion they had encountered had given them “hope for a future where we can live and compete in safety”. They singled out Australia’s Minister for Home Affairs, Tony Burke, and the department’s staff for granting protection and guiding them through the asylum process, describing the country as a “safe haven”.

Equally significant has been the response from Australia’s Iranian diaspora, which has rallied around the players with housing, translation help and emotional support. The two women said the community’s generosity had made them feel “welcome and less alone” as they navigate unfamiliar systems, a new language and the lingering anxiety of separation from home.

Football remains central to their plans. A-League Women’s club Brisbane Roar has opened its training facilities to the pair, offering a professional environment where they can maintain fitness and reconnect with the routines of elite sport. Club officials have framed the gesture as both a sporting opportunity and an act of solidarity.

For now, however, Ramezanizadeh and Pasandideh are keeping their public profile low. They have asked for privacy, saying their immediate priorities are safety, health and the first steps toward a stable life in Australia, even as the dream of resuming their careers at the highest level endures.