Iran's Women's Football Team could be in trouble
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382542)
Rockingham, Australia
March 7, 2026 12:49am CST
An Iranian women’s football team is playing in Australia as part of the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup.
Before their first match against South Korea on Monday, March 2, the team stood silent while their national anthem was played. This was seen by Islamic authorities as a silent protest and the players were roundly condemned as traitors, the action seen as ‘the height of shamelessness and betrayal.’
In contrast, before their second match against the Australian team on Thursday, they saluted and sang loudly. The girls could face severe punishments when they return to Iran. Corruption and treason can lead to long prison sentences or the death penalty.
Defecting isn’t an option for most because their families would be threatened and punished if the girls fail to return home. It’s little wonder the team hasn’t won a game yet.
The photo shows a water-lily, the national flower of Iran.
15 people like this
13 responses
@JudyEv (382542)
• Rockingham, Australia
8 Mar
That's for sure. Those making the decisions aren't out in the field getting shot at or whatever.
@Ineeddentures (35375)
•
8 Mar
Won't see any of these girls again....
Be the same if our women never sang Flower of Scotland at Hampden or didn't know the words or sang out of time Infront of the telly cameras
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382542)
• Rockingham, Australia
9 Mar
@Ineeddentures You should have put a smiley emoji. 
Maybe I need to lighten up a bit too.
Maybe I need to lighten up a bit too.1 person likes this
@Ineeddentures (35375)
•
8 Mar
@JudyEv
I was being just a bit tongue in cheek lol
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128854)
• Gainesville, Florida
7 Mar
Will they even be able to return home since there is a war going on and all of their airports have been bombed into oblivion?
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128854)
• Gainesville, Florida
8 Mar
@JudyEv Would Australia take them in if they sought asylum in your country? If I were them, I would not want to go back.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382542)
• Rockingham, Australia
9 Mar
@moffittjc We would take them in a heartbeat but their families back home would suffer very badly.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382542)
• Rockingham, Australia
8 Mar
They're booked to fly out but who knows what will happen. I don't know the logistics of it all but no-one has suggested they CAN'T fly home and land somewhere. The authorities are threatening to make an example of them and what happens to 'traitors'.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382542)
• Rockingham, Australia
8 Mar
@DianneN I was thinking more of the women in Middle Eastern coutries who are under such strict control. I find it hard to imagine how it would be to never go anywhere without a man by your side, not to be able to drive, all that sort of thing. I didn't mean to imply anything more than that. 
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382542)
• Rockingham, Australia
8 Mar
That's true. They have been so repressed for so long.
@snowy22315 (209173)
• United States
7 Mar
I hope they don't get in any trouble when they go back.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (209173)
• United States
8 Mar
@JudyEv Sad..No ones really in charge though now.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (222806)
• United States
7 Mar
I hope there's no problem when they return home.
1 person likes this
@thislittlepennyearns (68246)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
7 Mar
Oh no! Thats such a sad scary place for all those young women to be in
1 person likes this
@thislittlepennyearns (68246)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
9 Mar
@JudyEv Yes, they are in a horrible place. A rock and a hard palce as you said.
1 person likes this
