The remaining members of the Iranian women’s soccer team have left the potential refuge of Australia, starting their journey home to a country at war and an uncertain future.
But their final moments in Australia were not without drama, with tears, apparent reluctance and at least one more player opting in the final moments before boarding to join five of her teammates and remain in Australia.
Members of the team, known as the Lionesses, flanked by chaperones and handlers, spoke with this masthead via a translation app at Sydney Airport on Tuesday night as they waited to board a flight bound for Kuala Lumpur.
Several of the women spoken to, who this masthead has chosen not to name, repeated the same message: They want to go home to their families.
When asked what happened to the five teammates who were staying behind in Australia, one of the players simply replied: “They became refugees.”
When asked if she wanted to be a refugee and if Iran was safe, the young woman shook her head.
“Iran is home.”
Two other women said they had spoken with their families, as protesters claimed their families sent messages telling them to stay away.
When asked about Iran’s blackouts, one girl shrugged. Another started speaking, then directed to a chaperone, who repeated the same message.
“They are happy to see their families.”
But some of the members’ body language told a different story. The last of the women to board did so with tears streaming down their faces. One woman was missing, and another sat on the seat, refusing to leave.
Around them were AFP and NSW police officers, who had a heavy presence near the group. Officers declined to see if the woman had escaped.
Five players in the team had already opted to remain in Australia after a dramatic intervention and closed door meetings.
The remaining players’ handlers dodged protesters as the team departed their Gold Coast hotel and were taken to Coolangatta airport before flying to Sydney. Upon arrival at Sydney airport, they were taken off the domestic flight and onto a private bus to be transported to the international terminal.
There was a delay when the team made its way through border patrol amid the possibility that further players may have chosen to stay in Australia. An officer took a stack of passports into a side room as two of the older women passed through the gates, and the players remained behind for a lengthy period.
One player was led away from the others by officers, but ultimately returned.
The women, always flanked by their chaperones, milled around the shops and texted as they waited for their flight.
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Amber Schultz is a crime and justice reporter with The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via X or email.