6 days ago
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Two members of the Iranian women's soccer team who claimed asylum in Australia have confirmed their pivotal refusal to sing the national anthem during the Women's Asian Cup in March was a protest against Tehran.
The first media interview with Atefeh Ramezanisadeh, 34, and Fatemeh Pasandideh, 22, since they abandoned their team to become refugees was broadcast Sunday on Australia's "60 Minutes" current affairs program.
"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," Ramezanisadeh told Nine Network through an interpreter.
The team was criticized in Iran and branded as traitors in the media there for remaining silent when the Iranian national anthem was played ahead of their opening loss against South Korea on March 2.
Some saw it as an act of resistance, while others interpreted it as a show of mourning following the U.S. and Israeli attacks on their homeland which began on Feb. 28. The team offered no public explanation.
#team #ramezanisadeh
The first media interview with Atefeh Ramezanisadeh, 34, and Fatemeh Pasandideh, 22, since they abandoned their team to become refugees was broadcast Sunday on Australia's "60 Minutes" current affairs program.
"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," Ramezanisadeh told Nine Network through an interpreter.
The team was criticized in Iran and branded as traitors in the media there for remaining silent when the Iranian national anthem was played ahead of their opening loss against South Korea on March 2.
Some saw it as an act of resistance, while others interpreted it as a show of mourning following the U.S. and Israeli attacks on their homeland which began on Feb. 28. The team offered no public explanation.
#team #ramezanisadeh
1 month ago
Two members of Iran women's football team have become Australian citizens, having previously been granted humanitarian asylum following this year's Asian Cup.
Atefeh Ramezanisadeh, 34, and Fatemeh Pasandideh, 22, were naturalised in Brisbane, Queensland, on Wednesday — five months after refusing to return to Iran.
Seven members of Iran's travelling party for the tournament had initially sought asylum in Australia after their country's elimination from the tournament. Five subsequently changed their minds to return to Iran, but Pasandideh and Ramezanisadeh remained in Australia.
The two received their citizenship certificates at a ceremony attended by Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke.
Ramezanisadeh said her citizenship "represents hope, safety, and the chance to build a new future", while Pasandideh said the moment "feels like a new beginning".
#pasandideh #asylum #return #tournament
Atefeh Ramezanisadeh, 34, and Fatemeh Pasandideh, 22, were naturalised in Brisbane, Queensland, on Wednesday — five months after refusing to return to Iran.
Seven members of Iran's travelling party for the tournament had initially sought asylum in Australia after their country's elimination from the tournament. Five subsequently changed their minds to return to Iran, but Pasandideh and Ramezanisadeh remained in Australia.
The two received their citizenship certificates at a ceremony attended by Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke.
Ramezanisadeh said her citizenship "represents hope, safety, and the chance to build a new future", while Pasandideh said the moment "feels like a new beginning".
#pasandideh #asylum #return #tournament
1 month ago
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Two members of the Iranian women's soccer team who claimed asylum in Australia in March have been granted citizenship.
Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh said in a statement Thursday that Immigration Minister Tony Burke swore them in the day before at a citizenship ceremony in their Australian home city of Brisbane.
Friends and supporters from the local Iranian community attended the ceremony.
"Yesterday was a truly special and unforgettable day for me. I feel proud and deeply grateful to become an Australian citizen. Australia has given me the opportunity to build my life and my future, and I feel, more than ever, that I belong here," Ramezanisadeh said in the statement.
Ramezanisadeh said her Iranian roots and memories would always be part of her.
#australian #feel #melbourne
Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh said in a statement Thursday that Immigration Minister Tony Burke swore them in the day before at a citizenship ceremony in their Australian home city of Brisbane.
Friends and supporters from the local Iranian community attended the ceremony.
"Yesterday was a truly special and unforgettable day for me. I feel proud and deeply grateful to become an Australian citizen. Australia has given me the opportunity to build my life and my future, and I feel, more than ever, that I belong here," Ramezanisadeh said in the statement.
Ramezanisadeh said her Iranian roots and memories would always be part of her.
#australian #feel #melbourne
