Protesters try to stop female Iranian footballers from being forced back home

Groups of protesters surrounded the vehicle,allowing the five now refugees to escape and seek humanitarian visas.

One supporter near the bus came with a recording she said was of one of the players’ mothers,telling her daughter to stay in Australia.

Farak said she got the recording from a friend in Iran,and had planned to play it when the women’s team departed their connecting flight in Sydney.

‘I’m pretty sure if she hears this,she will want to stay,’ Farak told the Guardian.

One of the players appeared to weep as she was taken on the bus (Picture: 9News)

Not all the players were able to escape to safety in Australia,however,with one player seen weeping as she was led onto the team bus.

On Monday,Donald Trump blasted Australia on social media,saying Australia was ‘making a terrible humanitarian mistake by allowing the … team to be forced back to Iran,where they will most likely be killed.’

Trump called on Australia to grant the team asylum,adding: ‘The US will take them if you won’t.’

Less than two hours later,in another social media post,Trump praised Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese,saying,‘He’s on it! Five have already been taken care of,and the rest are on their way.’

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