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Iran Confiscates Assets of Women's Football Captain Zahra Ghanbari After Her Return from Australia
The Iranian government has seized all assets of Zahra Ghanbari, captain of the national women's football team, following her return from Australia. Ghanbari was listed among 400 individuals designated as supporters of the enemy. The action follows events at the Asia Cup in February, where team members protested during the national anthem.
Apr 13, 4:53 PM·2m read1 source
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The Iranian government has confiscated all assets belonging to Zahra Ghanbari, captain of the national women's football team. This action occurred after Ghanbari returned to Iran from Australia. Iranian authorities had previously stated to the international community that Ghanbari and her teammates would not face penalties for returning.
Ghanbari has earned 22 caps for Iran's national team. She was included on a list of 400 Iranian citizens designated as supporters of the enemy, published by the Islamic Republic over the weekend. State media, including the IRNA news agency, reported her return as a decision to rejoin her homeland.
The events trace back to the Asia Cup in late February. Iran's women's football squad traveled to Australia shortly before military strikes by the US and Israel that killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The players stood in silence as their national anthem played ahead of a fixture with South Korea.
media reported the silence.
One player received a voice message from her mother advising against returning to Iran. A separate message, sent by a player's family and smuggled out of the country, suggested the squad stay in Australia. Australia provided asylum options to the squad due to concerns over potential persecution upon return.
US President Donald Trump stated that the players would most likely be killed if they returned to Iran. Ghanbari and six teammates initially accepted humanitarian visas from Australia but reversed their decisions within days. Reports indicate that threats to the players' families in Iran influenced these reversals.
Four additional squad members have returned to Iran, leaving two players in Australia. Those two, Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh, have joined the Brisbane Roar team and remain in Australia.
