March 20, New Delhi – Members of the Iranian women's national football team returned home via the Bazargan border crossing with Turkey, completing their journey back from Australia.
Australia had granted humanitarian visas to six players and one member of the support staff after they sought asylum, citing fears of persecution if they returned to Iran.
The team arrived in Istanbul on Tuesday and then took a flight to Igdir in eastern Turkey on Wednesday. After a two-hour journey to the border, they went through passport control at the Gurbulak border crossing before crossing into Iran.
Upon their return, the members of the Iranian team were greeted with a "welcome ceremony." Players were presented with bouquets of flowers and signed what appeared to be miniature soccer balls.
