The Iranian women's national football team is facing an uncertain future after their Women's Asian Cup campaign ended in chaotic scenes on the Gold Coast. Following a 2-0 defeat to the Philippines on Sunday, protesters blocked the team bus, banging on the vehicle and chanting 'let them go' for 15 minutes before police intervened. The crowd of about 200 people was pushed back as the bus slowly departed.
The unrest occurred after goals from Sara Eggesvik and Chandler McDaniel eliminated Iran, who finished fourth in Group A. Before the match, the Iranian players and coaches sang the national anthem with a military salute, the second time they performed it in the tournament after failing to do so in their opening game against South Korea. Iran's state television had labelled them 'traitors' for not singing, calling the team 'the pinnacle of dishonour'.
Fans at the match displayed flags of Imperial Iran, the pre-1979 revolutionary flag. Coach Marziyeh Jafari expressed a desire to return home, stating, 'We want to come back to Iran as soon as we can. I want to be with my country and home Iranians inside Iran. We are eager to come back.' However, fears remain that the regime could arrest players upon their return.
Former Socceroos captain Craig Foster has urged FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation to protect player safety. A coalition of 12 Iranian community organisations and civil society groups sent a letter to Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, expressing 'grave concerns' for the team. Foreign Minister Penny Wong declined to comment on whether the federal government had contacted the footballers.
For the Philippines, the win was their first of the tournament, but they still need other results to go their way to qualify for the play-offs as one of the two best third-placed teams.
