Vue lecture

Australian government urged to protect Iran football players after national anthem backflip

6 mars 2026 à 06:23

Footballers sing and salute anthem days after standing silent at Asian Cup
Matildas victory leaves Iran on brink of tournament exit and return home

The Australian government has been urged to allow the Iran women’s national team players to remain in Australia after a state-aligned conservative commentator in Iran described them as “wartime traitors” and said they must be “dealt with more severely”.

The Iran players are currently competing in the Women’s Asian Cup, and lost 4-0 to the Matildas on the Gold Coast in their second group-stage match on Thursday.

Matildas into quarter-finals but may come to rue lack of second half goals

The Guardian

Par : Jack Snape

5 mars 2026 à 14:02

Australia were frustrated as Iran kept it at 4-0 and now face South Korea in a decider to top Asian Cup group

The goals flowed quickly, easily, and then – when the hosts needed just one more – not at all. Their 4-0 victory over a brave Iran side leaves the Matildas facing an uncertain path to Asian Cup glory, even if they have now booked a place in the quarter-finals.

It was a night that began with fireworks but dissolved in the Gold Coast rain to a turgid trial. Initially there was promise for Matildas fans, but then tiring frustration, made worse by a pair of horror head impacts for substitute Hayley Raso.