03/19/26 07:14:00
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03/19 19:10 CDT Iran women's soccer team greeted with a 'welcome ceremony' in
Tehran
Iran women's soccer team greeted with a 'welcome ceremony' in Tehran
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) --- Members of Iran's national women's soccer team were
greeted with a "welcome ceremony" upon their return to the Islamic Republic
after several of the players had sought asylum in Australia.
"First of all we are so happy to be in Iran, because Iran is our homeland,"
midfielder Fatemeh Shaban said.
People in the crowd waved flags while some of the players held bouquets of
flowers and signed what appeared to be mini-soccer balls. Iranian media had
reported that the team returned on Wednesday.
"I wasn't expecting this many people to come to welcome us, and I am happy to
be the daughter of Iran," Shaban said in translated comments.
Two Iranian female players, Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh, chose
to remain in Australia and have been training with the Brisbane Roar club.
Others who initially sought asylum after the team was knocked out of the
Women's Asian Cup later changed their minds and said they would return to Iran.
Iran's squad arrived in Australia for the tournament shortly before the Iran
war began on Feb. 28. The team initially gained global attention after some
players stayed silent during Iran's national anthem before their first game in
the Asian Cup. The silence was cast as an act of resistance or protest by some
commentators and a show of mourning by others.
The players didn't publicly disclose their views or explain their actions and
sang the anthem before their next two matches.
Iranian first Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref last week dismissed suggestions
the women would be unsafe if they returned home, saying the country "welcomes
its children with open arms and the government guarantees their security."
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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
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