Two Iranian Footballers Gain Australian Citizenship After Asian Cup Defection

Iranian footballers Atefeh Ramezanisadeh, 34, and Fatemeh Pasandideh, 22, became Australian citizens at a Brisbane ceremony attended by Interior Minister Tony Burke. They were among seven teammates granted humanitarian visas during March's Women's Asian Cup after staying silent during Iran's anthem. The other five returned home; activists allege family-based coercion, while Iran's sports ministry said they "defeated the enemy's plans."