As an Iranian athlete expelled from the national team, I know this system. These footballers were forced to salute. If they return to Iran, punishment awaits. Australia must choose: send them back to a misogynistic regime, or give them a chance at freedom

#Women_life_freedom

The Israeli government officially requested that Australia return these female footballers to Iran.

Mr. Trump also called on Australia to grant the women political asylum and not forcibly return them to Iran.

Returning these women would face the risk of execution and torture in Iran.

 As an Iranian athlete expelled from the national team, I know this system. These footballers were forced to salute. If they return to Iran, punishment awaits. 

Australia must choose: send them back to a misogynistic regime, or give them a chance at freedom.. Iran's women's national football team refused to sing the Islamic Republic's anthem before their 3-0 loss to South Korea in the Women's Asian Cup opener on Australia's Gold Coast on Monday. The defiant moment came amid the backdrop of war following US and Israeli strikes and the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.I have appealed to the Australian Ambassador to Israel to grant political asylum to the players of the Iranian women's national football team, who fear returning to their country due to a real threat to their freedom and even their lives.

Brave women who only want to live in safety, freedom and dignity. This is a moment when the international community must stand by them and prove that words about human rights and freedom are not just slogans.