Iranian footballers' anthem silence was protest against Tehran, asylum seekers confirm

Two Iranian women's footballers who sought asylum in Australia confirmed their March refusal to sing the national anthem during the Women's Asian Cup was a protest against Tehran's crackdown on demonstrations. Atefeh Ramezanisadeh, 34, and Fatemeh Pasandideh, 22, abandoned their team after the opening match against South Korea on March 2. Seven team members initially accepted Australian humanitarian visas; only these two remained and became citizens in August.

I wanted to sing the anthem with pride and from my heart. But because of the situation in Iran, I really couldn't do it.