Journalist Ashraf Helmy, currently residing in Australia, praised the Australian government’s decision to grant humanitarian asylum to five Iranian women athletes from the national women’s football team participating in the Asian Championship hosted in Australia. This decision, made following their request, allows these athletes to stay in Australia under humanitarian visas. Additionally, Australia has expressed its willingness to assist other team members in obtaining humanitarian asylum if they desire it, especially in light of the dangers they might face upon returning to Iran, where they could be persecuted for choosing not to sing the national anthem before their first match last Monday.

Helmy further noted that the act of the Iranian players removing their hijabs after receiving their humanitarian asylum visas symbolizes their newfound freedom, which they lacked in their home country. This move also highlights their liberation from the oppression of the hijab, a garment that the religious authorities in Iran compel women, girls, and children to wear.