‘Couldn’t keep quiet’: Iran footballers reveal why they refused to sing national anthem before seeking asylum in Australia

Iranian soccer player Fatemeh Pasandideh salutes during the national anthem of Iran. (AP photo) Iranian footballers Atefeh Ramezanisadeh and Fatemeh Pasandideh have broken their silence over the protest that preceded their decision to seek asylum in Australia, confirming their refusal to sing Iran’s national anthem at the Women’s Asian Cup was a deliberate act of defiance against Tehran.Both players, who left the Iranian delegation after the tournament to remain in Australia, spoke publicly for the first time since claiming asylum. Their interview with Australia’s 60 Minutes aired on Sunday and shed new light on the gesture, which has sparked intense debate over whether the players are mourning their country amid the escalating conflict or protesting the Iranian government.For Ramezanisadeh (34) and Pasandideh (22), the message was clear: they stood with the protesters at home.

“We just wanted to stand with our people”

Iran’s women’s team was silent when the national anthem was played before their opening match against South Korea on March 2. The refusal immediately sparked criticism in Iran, with part of the country’s media calling the players traitors.But at the time, the team did not publicly explain the decision.The gesture came shortly after US and Israeli attacks on Iran began on February 28, leading some observers to interpret the silence as an act of mourning. Others saw it as an act of resistance against Tehran.Ramezanisadeh has now confirmed that the reason for her silence was the latter.“We just wanted to stand with our people. I was scared at times but I tried to do what was right and say no one should be killed just for protesting,” Ramezanisadeh told the Nine Network through an interpreter.She acknowledged the huge personal risk involved in refusing to sing the anthem.Ramezanisadeh said her silence “could have meant any form of torture” for her.“But at that moment, the only thing that gave me peace and a clear conscience was not to sing it. I wanted to sing the anthem with pride and from my heart. But because of the situation in Iran, I really couldn’t,” she said.Pasandideh was equally forthright about what motivated her.“My people put their lives on the line and were killed. It was the least we could do for them,” Pasandideh said through an interpreter.

Silence becomes a turning point

The players’ decision became even more significant after protesters in Australia demanded that the Iranian squad be allowed to stay in the country and not return home.The team finally left Sydney on March 10, but the matter had already reached the highest levels of Australian politics.Australian Immigration Minister Tony Burke said the players were not promised asylum when the decision was made.“At that point they had absolutely no information from us about the possibility of staying,” Burke said.“The silence itself was profoundly significant,” he added. “The reaction was a volcanic moment.The situation further escalated after then-US President Donald Trump publicly called for asylum for Iranian players and spoke to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese about the matter.The Albanian subsequently told Trump that four players and the team’s manager had accepted offers of humanitarian visas.Seven members of the Iranian delegation eventually accepted Australia’s offer of asylum, but all but Ramezanisadeh and Pasandideh later changed their minds.Meanwhile, both women decided to stay.

‘I could not be silent’

Ramezanisadeh said the decision to stay in Australia came despite pressure from her parents, who urged her to return to Iran after receiving instructions from Iranian authorities.“They tried to calm me down and said, ‘Nothing’s going to happen to you. This is your home. You have to go home.’ But I told them I had made up my mind and I wasn’t going back,” she said.The decision came at a huge personal cost.“The thought that I might never see my family again was heartbreaking, but I couldn’t afford to be indifferent while so many young people were being killed by this regime. I couldn’t stay silent even though I miss my family so much,” she added.Both players said they had not been in contact with their families in recent months, although they understood their relatives had not been punished.Their decision to stay in Australia also led to a new chapter in their football careers. Ramezanisadeh and Pasandideh now play for semi-professional club Wynnum Wolves in Brisbane and became Australian citizens in August.

“I don’t want to endanger their lives”

Pasandideh said she deliberately avoided questions from her former teammates about whether they wanted to return to Iran or felt compelled to do so.“We decided not to talk because I don’t want to put their lives in danger,” she said.Despite all that has happened, her ties to Iran remain strong.“One of my biggest dreams is to be able to return to Iran, but under different circumstances, when the situation in Iran changes and the people of Iran are happy and prosperous. Then I will go back and see my family,” she added.