Iran Women's National Team In KL - AFC

KUALA LUMPUR, March 11 (Bernama) -- The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has confirmed that Iran's women’s national team are in Kuala Lumpur, following reports that some members of the squad sought asylum in Australia.

In a brief statement to Bernama, the AFC said the team are staying at a hotel.

“The AFC will provide all necessary support to the team during their stay until their onward travel arrangements are confirmed.

“The AFC once again emphasises that it will continue to prioritise the welfare and safety of the players and officials and calls on the media to respect the privacy of the team members,” it said.

Meanwhile, AFC general secretary Datuk Seri Windsor John declined to disclose the name or location of the hotel.

“Sorry, for safety and security reasons, we cannot reveal the hotel,” Windsor said.

Footage of the squad’s arrival at Kuala Lumpur International Airport circulated on social media earlier in the day.

According to the Iranian Embassy in Malaysia, the players, who participated in the Women’s Asian Cup 2026 campaign in Australia, are expected to return to Iran, subject to flight availability and the reopening of Iran's airspace.

“They want to return home,” the embassy told Bernama when contacted.

The development follows reports that seven other members of the team have sought asylum in Australia, citing fears of persecution upon returning to Iran after refusing to sing the national anthem before their opening match of the tournament on March 3.

According to reports quoting Australia’s Immigration Minister Tony Burke, the players were moved to a safe location by Australian police.

Burke was also reported as saying that the remaining members of the squad had been informed they were welcome to remain in Australia.

The players had initially been scheduled to return home after the tournament, but supporters had raised concerns over their safety following the team’s decision not to sing the national anthem ahead of their match against South Korea.

The move drew criticism from some commentators in Iran, with one conservative commentator reportedly accusing the team of being “wartime traitors” and calling for harsh punishment.

According to the Malaysian Embassy in Tehran, Iranian passport holders travelling to Malaysia on their national passports do not require a visa to enter Malaysia for a stay not exceeding 14 days.

-- BERNAMA