Iranian soccer players' anthem protest highlights struggle against Tehran

Two members of the Iranian women’s soccer team, Atefeh Ramezanisadeh, 34, and Fatemeh Pasandideh, 22, have confirmed that their refusal to sing the national anthem during the Women’s Asian Cup in March was a deliberate protest against the Iranian government. This act of defiance has garnered international attention, particularly following their subsequent decision to seek asylum in Australia.

In their first media interview since abandoning their team, broadcast on Australia’s “60 Minutes,” Ramezanisadeh expressed the motivation behind their silence. "We just wanted to stand with our people. I was scared at times, but I just tried to do what was right and say that no one should be killed just for protesting,” she stated through an interpreter. The Iranian team faced backlash in their home country, labeled as traitors for their actions during the opening match against South Korea on March 2.

The silence during the anthem was interpreted by some as a powerful act of resistance, while others viewed it as a mourning gesture in light of the U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran that began shortly before the match. The team did not publicly explain their actions at the time, which led to calls from demonstrators for the players to be granted asylum in Australia after they left Sydney on March 10.

Ramezanisadeh and Pasandideh clarified that their protest was against the Iranian regime's brutal crackdown on protests against its theocratic rule. Ramezanisadeh reflected on the risks involved, stating, "My silence could have meant any form of torture for me. But at that moment, the only thing that gave me peace and a clear conscience was not singing it. I wanted to sing the anthem with pride and from my heart. But because of the situation in Iran, I really couldn’t do it."

Pasandideh echoed her sentiments, emphasizing the gravity of their decision: “My people put their lives on the line and they were killed. Doing that was the absolute least we could do for them.” The Australian Immigration Minister, Tony Burke, noted that none of the team members had been offered asylum at that time, stating, “At that point, they had absolutely no information from us about the possibility of being able to stay.”

Political asylum reshapes players' futures

The situation escalated when U.S. President Donald Trump publicly called for the team to be granted asylum, leading to a conversation with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. By that time, four players and a team manager had accepted offers of humanitarian visas, but only Ramezanisadeh and Pasandideh ultimately remained in Australia, where they now play for the Wynnum Wolves semi-professional soccer team in Brisbane and became Australian citizens in August.

Ramezanisadeh shared the emotional toll of her decision, revealing that her parents urged her to return under the assurances of Iranian authorities. “They tried to reassure me, saying: ‘Nothing will happen to you. This is your home. You must return home.’ But I told them my mind was made up and I was not coming back,” she recounted. The pain of potentially never seeing her family again weighed heavily on her, yet she felt compelled to act against the regime's violence.

Both women have not been in contact with their families for months but believe their relatives have not faced repercussions. Pasandideh mentioned that she refrained from discussing their teammates' feelings about returning to Iran, stating, “I don’t want to put their lives in danger.” She expressed a hope to return to Iran one day, but only when the political situation improves and the people are thriving.

The actions of Ramezanisadeh and Pasandideh not only highlight the intersection of sports and political activism but also underscore the risks athletes face in oppressive regimes. Their story serves as a poignant reminder of the power of protest and the sacrifices made by those who stand against tyranny.