Members of Iran’s women’s national football team and their support staff have returned to Iran, Fars news agency reported.
The agency showed the team being welcomed by officials and members of the public at the Turkiye-Iran Bazargan border after returning from a tournament in Australia.
The team was at the centre of controversy for refusing to sing the Iranian national anthem during a match in Australia, prompting an IRIB presenter to label them “traitors.”
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Six players and one support staff member initially accepted an offer of asylum in Australia, citing safety concerns if they returned to Iran. However, five of them later changed their minds and left Australia to return home.
Tasnim news agency reported that a formal welcoming ceremony will be held on Thursday evening in Tehran.