Iran Soccer Team Seeks Asylum, Echoing Historical Precedents

0:00On this March 10th in Sydney, here's what is making headlines. This week, five players from Iran's women's soccer team were granted asylum in Australia after facing threats at home. It's a striking echo of history, going back more than 80 years to 1939, when six Jewish players from a Palestine team touring down. Under chose to stay, rather than return, amid rising dangers before World War II. That Palestine squad, really Makabi Tel Aviv athletes from the British Mandate sought refuge just as war-loomed. Australia approved their pleas, and three even joined the army, with two losing their lives fighting the Japanese. War has long stranded performers far from safety. Fast forward to the Cold War, and nearly half the Hungarian Olympic team defected during the 1956 Melbourne Games. Shocked by Soviet tanks rolling into Budapest, 48 athletes refused to go home, some staying to build local soccer clubs while others headed to the United States. African athletes have followed suit at big events, like almost 30 from nations, including Cameroon and Sierra Leone after the 2006.

1:09Melbourne Commonwealth Games, others from Rwanda and Zimbabwe sought protection during Melbourne's homeless World Cup in 2008. Today, with the Middle East in turmoil and Iran facing attacks, these women refused to sing their anthem here, drawing retaliation threats. Australia stepped in again, offering a new start just like in those frot times past. This DNN story is thanks to our sponsor details in the description. Comfort you can hear, sound you can relax into.