Australia urged to protect Iranian football team after Asian Cup elimination

 

Football's governing bodies and Australian authorities are being urged to ensure the safety of Iran's women's team as they prepare to fly home from Australia after being eliminated from the Asian Cup.

Hundreds of supporters surrounded the Iranian Lionesses' coach as it left the stadium on the Gold Coast on Sunday evening, with chants of "save our girls".

Fears for Iran's women's team grew after they declined to sing the national anthem ahead of their first match against South Korea last week.

This prompted criticism from within Iran, with one conservative commentator accusing the team of being "wartime traitors" and pushing for harsh punishment.