Mandana Karimi Instagram – The world has now seen what happened with the Iranian women’s football team during the tournament in Australia.
Seven members of the team made the incredibly brave decision to stay behind and seek asylum, fearing for their safety if they returned to Iran. They were already being labelled “traitors” by Iranian state media — something we all know can have very serious consequences under the Islamic Republic.
The rest of the team was flown out of Australia and is now in Malaysia. According to videos circulating online and accounts from people who were there, some of the girls were closely monitored and could not freely leave their rooms or speak openly.
And of course, the regime is already pushing its usual narrative — claiming that these athletes simply “wanted to return to Iran.” But Iranians know very well how this system works. We know the pressure, the threats, and the fear that extends not only to the athletes themselves but also to their families back home.
Now these young women are in Malaysia, and members of the Iranian community have been trying to reach them and offer help. Unfortunately, those attempts have been blocked by security and individuals accompanying the team.
Last night, however, some friends managed to briefly speak with them while they were outside for Iftar. The video you are about to see contains their own words their fear, their uncertainty, and their courage.
I hesitated before sharing this because I do not want to put their lives in danger. But sometimes visibility is the only protection people have. As one of the girls says in the video, now that this has become public knowledge, maybe it will be harder for anything to happen to them.
So I am sharing this as a record and as a plea to the world — to governments, journalists, and human rights organizations.
Please help protect these girls. They should not be forced to return to Iran.
This situation requires care, empathy, and humanity. These are not criminals. These are athletes who simply want safety and freedom.
Please don’t look away.
Javid shah
Payandeh Iran ✌🏻❤️🩹 | Posted on 12/Mar/2026 17:15:55
