Inside the Australian hotel where Iranian footballers escaped to claim asylum
Activists played a key role in making contact with the women as they tried to dodge their minders.
Coverage by Political Leaning
See how different sides of the spectrum reported this story
Notable Quotes
""Our community in Queensland did whatever we could.""
— Hesam Orouji , Activist
Key People
A member of the Iranian women's football team.
A member of the Iranian women's football team.
An Iranian human rights activist based in Queensland.
Mohaddeseh Zolfi is a player for the Iranian national football team.
A member of the Iranian women's football team.
A member of the Iranian women's football team.
Zahra Sarbali is a player on the Iranian women's national soccer team.
Zahra Soltan Meshkeh Kar is a support staff member for the Iranian national football team.
All Coverage
Activists played a key role in making contact with the women as they tried to dodge their minders.
Similar Stories
Related coverage based on topic and tags
Five Australian rules footy players suspended amid police investigation
The suspensions, for drinking and inviting women to a hotel, come as police investigate an alleged sexual assault.
August 19, 2026 at 03:36 AMAussie rules footy players referred to police as detectives investigate sexual assault
The "disappointed" Sydney Swans CEO wouldn't say what the incident was or how many players were involved.
August 17, 2026 at 05:46 AMThe Indian activist jailed after taking on a luxury hotel plan
An activist's detention has brought under focus a larger battle over land and development around the famed Kaziranga National Park.
August 18, 2026 at 10:18 PMIranian academic writes of US detention 'hell' over link to 1979 hostage crisis
The immigration status of Maryam Tahmasebi was revoked because her husband is the son of a prominent figure in Iran.
August 19, 2026 at 03:12 AMIran says two French embassy employees barred from returning - Reuters
Iran says two French embassy employees barred from returning Reuters
August 17, 2026 at 09:41 AMActivists try to deliver aid to Palestinians in homes besieged by Israeli settlers
Two families have been trapped in their homes in the occupied West Bank for several days.
August 14, 2026 at 05:03 PM