Sport
Two Iranian footballers granted Australian citizenship after refusing to sing national anthem
Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh, two former Iranian footballers, have been granted Australian citizenship. As part of a seven-person Iranian delegation, they sought asylum in Australia after refusing to sing the Iranian national anthem during their opening match at the AFC Women's Asian Cup in March. Both women expressed pride and deep gratitude for their new citizenship, according to Le Monde on August 6, 2026.