Iran anthem protest: Female footballers ‘proud’ to become Australian

Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh, who refused to sing Iran anthem at AFC Cup, now granted Australian citizenship.Published On 6 Aug 20266 Aug 2026Two former Iranian female footballers say they are “proud” to have been granted Australian citizenship after being branded traitors at home for refusing to sing the national anthem before a game.Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh, who were granted Australian citizenship at a ceremony on Wednesday overseen by Minister for Home Affairs Tony Burke, were members of a group of seven from Iran’s delegation who asked for protection from the host country following the high-profile protest during the Women’s Asian Cup in March.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4FIFA pledges to defend Infantino after World Cup rights plan collapseslist 2 of 4UEFA’s threatened legal action against Infantino and FIFA: What we knowlist 3 of 4Ex-Arsenal boss Wenger was ‘not aware’ of Infantino’s FIFA planlist 4 of 4UEFA confirms legal letter served to FIFA after Infantino’s World Cup planend of listWith their demands for protection an embarrassment for Iran’s leaders but lauded by United States President Donald Trump, five of them later c...