Iranian women soccer players' hotel escape aided by Australian police

Australian police extracted five Iranian women soccer players from the team's hotel before they were granted asylum, the interior minister said on Tuesday, as details of their escape from Iranian government minders emerged. The five players sought protection after the team were branded "wartime traitors" for refusing to sing their national anthem before an Asian Cup match.



The team's Asian Cup campaign began as the U.S. and Israel launched air strikes on Iran and Australian media reported the team had been accompanied by Iranian government officials who were controlling their movements.



Conversations with the players about seeking asylum had been ongoing for several days, Interior Minister Tony Burke told a press conference as he confirmed the women had been granted asylum in Australia.



The five players were moved to a safe location by the Australian Federal Police on Monday evening, where they remain under their protection, Burke said. Even before their defection, Australia had deployed its own officers to protect the women.