It is unclear how many players and leaders were actually on board the bus that arrived at Gold Coast Airport a couple of hours ago.
Protesters tried to stop the bus at the players' hotel by, among other things, lying down in front of it.
“Save our girls”
"Save our girls, save our girls," a group of people were heard chanting, reports ABC News.
When the war in Iran broke out on February 28, the Iranian women's national football team had already been in Australia for a few days to play in the Asian Championships. The team was eliminated after three straight losses.
After the exodus, five players made their way to a room at the players' hotel where they were able to speak with Naghmeh Danai, who works at Australia's immigration department.
They were very stressed; they didn't know what to do. They were worried about their family, their assets in Iran and what was the best decision to make right now: "What if we stay here and lose all our assets in Iran?" Naghmeh Danai told ABC News.
“Safe and welcoming”
The players were helped by police to leave the hotel. Late Monday evening, local time in Sweden, it became known that they had been granted asylum in Australia.
"They are safe and welcome here," said Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
On Tuesday night, local time, he received a call from US President Donald Trump, who had previously called on Australia in a post on Truth Social to grant asylum to the players of the Iranian national team.
"We had a very positive conversation. He was concerned about the Iranian women on the soccer team and their well-being and safety if they were to return home," Albanese said.
“War traitor”
In the opening match of the championship, the players did not sing the national anthem, which led state television in Iran to label them "war traitors".
According to Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran's overthrown Shah, the team risks "fatal consequences" if it returns to its homeland.
Pahlavi has been pointed out in some circles as a possible interim leader in Iran if the regime falls.
