Iran coach says comments by television presenter created difficult atmosphere

Comments from an Iranian state television presenter about the country's women's team during their Asian Cup campaign affected the players psychologically and drove some to seek asylum in Australia, coach Marziyeh Jafari said on Friday.



The tournament, hosted by Australia, started just as the U.S. and Israel launched air strikes on Iran, killing the Islamic Republic's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. After the team opted to stand in silence during Iran's anthem before their first match against South Korea, they were labelled as "wartime traitors" by Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting presenter Mohammad Reza Shahbazi.



In a statement posted by Iran's football federation (FFIRI) on its Telegram page on Friday, which has since been deleted, Jafari said: "Our girls were affected in the first match by the heavy atmosphere that had been created...



"But the greater mistake was made by those who, at home, failed to understand that atmosphere and sounded the call to arms against the daughters of this land," she added, referring to the presenter's comments.



Australia this week granted humanitarian visas to five Iranian players who sought asylum during the tournament. Two more squad members were granted asylum on Wednesday, and one decided to return to Iran.