03/15/26 03:49:00
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03/15 15:48 CDT 5th member of Iranian women's soccer team gives up asylum in
Australia
5th member of Iranian women's soccer team gives up asylum in Australia
By ROD McGUIRK
Associated Press
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) --- A fifth member of the Iranian women's soccer team
who accepted a refugee visa to stay in Australia has left the country, the
Australian government said on Monday.
The player's departure shortly before midnight on Sunday leaves two of an
initial seven squad members in Australia, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke's
office said.
Burke reported on Sunday that two players and a team support staff member had
left Sydney for Malaysia on Saturday.
Iran's team arrived in Australia for the Women's Asian Cup last month, before
the war in the Middle East began on Feb. 28.
Initially, six players and a support staff member from a squad list of 26
players accepted humanitarian visas to stay in Australia before the rest of the
Iranian contingent flew from Sydney to Kuala Lumpur on March 10.
Another later changed her mind and left Australia.
The rest of the team has remained in Kuala Lumpur since they left Australia.
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