"In particular, we thank Home Secretary Tony Burke for giving us humanitarian protection and a safe haven in this beautiful country," the players said in a statement, according to Reuters.
In March, the players chose not to sing the national anthem at the Asian Championships in Australia. The players were then branded as “traitors” on Iranian state television.
Several activist groups and politicians, including US President Donald Trump, urged Australia to offer the players asylum. Six players and one manager accepted - five of the seven have since changed their minds.
