- Title: Former Afghan captain backs Iran players' asylum bid, calls for more support
- Date: 11th March 2026
- Summary: COPENHAGEN, DENMARK (MARCH 11, 2026) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (English) FORMER AFGHANISTAN WOMEN'S SOCCER CAPTAIN, KHALIDA POPAL, SAYING: "What the Iranian women are doing right now, what they have done, their stand with so much pressure against a murderous government, a government that killed their own people, that's a brave stand. They are very brave. They should be proud o
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- Keywords: Afghanistan Asylum Australia Iran Khalida Popal Women's Soccer Team
- Location: VARIOUS LOCATIONS
- City: VARIOUS LOCATIONS
- Country: Denmark
- Topics: Europe,Soccer,Sport
- Reuters ID: LVA001301511032026RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: The former captain and founding member of the Afghanistan women's football team, Khalida Popal, has hailed the courage of five Iranian women footballers who sought asylum in Australia amid ongoing unrest in the Middle East.
The five players, who were in Australia for the AFC Women's Asia Cup, were granted visas on Tuesday (March 10) to remain in the country, citing fears of persecution in Iran.
"You're physically safe, but mentally pressured," Popal said, reflecting on her own journey after being forced to leave Afghanistan in 2011 due to her football activism.
Popal, who was granted refugee status in Denmark later that year, drew parallels to her experience.
"Mentally, you're going through a lot of stress, anxiety and guilty feelings because you're safe, while others like you are being killed, silenced, or imprisoned," she said.
The Iranian players were identified by local media as Zahra Sarbali, Mona Hamoudi, Zahra Ghanbari, Fatemeh Pasandideh, and Atefeh Ramazani-Zadeh. However, it has since emerged that one of the players has decided to return to Iran, though her identity remains unclear.
Popal empathised with the emotional toll and challenges refugees face in building new lives.
"Adapting to a new culture, new lifestyle, new language, and finding a new identity. Also, the narrative around refugees is often negative, and that was a process for me," she noted.
Calling for more support, Popal urged soccer's governing bodies to prioritise the safety of female athletes facing persecution.
"This is the time for the AFC and FIFA to stand together to support the women of Iran, even those who went back home. Their safety and security should be the priority."
(Production: Lucy Thomson) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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