Lions to the slaughter: Iranian women’s football team dragged onto a bus while leaving the Gold Coast

A member of Iran’s women’s football team appeared to be pulled on to a bus by a teammate as she departed a Gold Coast hotel hours before the team arrived in Sydney to emotional supporters.

Australia’s Iranian community were in tears at Sydney Airport after the team arrived on a flight from the Gold Coast about 8.30pm local time.

After about two dozen players and staff arrived in Sydney, they were filmed by supporters being escorted onto another bus waiting on the tarmac under the close watch of officials, including the Australian Federal Police.

Supporters held signs and used their mobile-phone flashlights to signal their support for the players from a viewing platform inside the airport.

At least one flashlight was observed being beamed back to supporters from inside the bus.

It is understood the Federal Government were working to give players an opportunity to seek humanitarian visas up until the point they flew out of Australia.

Federal Police were lambasted by protesters at Sydney Airport as they raised concerns players were being coerced into staying with the team.

Supporters held signs which encouraged players to seek assistance from the Federal Government on Tuesday.

Protesters have flooded social media with pleas for further intervention amid concerns the returning players, and their families, could be harmed after they were labelled “wartime traitors” by Iranian State TV after the players remained silent during their national anthem at the start of their Asian Cup campaign.

At Royal Pines Resort earlier on Tuesday, supporters surrounded the hotel which the players had stayed at before footage captured a player being led by her wrist towards a bus.

A bus carrying members of the Iranian women’s football team was swarmed by protestors on Tuesday after it left the Gold Coast hotel, destined for the airport.

Protesters attempted to stop the bus by lying down in front of the vehicle before they were ultimately moved on.

US President Donald Trump said overnight that it would be a “terrible humanitarian mistake” if the players were “forced back to Iran, saying they would “most likely be killed”.

At the time of print, Home Affairs said five players have been granted asylum after escaping from their hotel late on Monday.

Queensland’s A-League team, Brisbane Roar, offered their training grounds to the five Iranian footballers who bravely sought refuge in Australia.

The team posted to social media on Tuesday after Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke intervened and granted the players humanitarian visas amid concerns their lives were at risk if they flew back to Iran.

“Like many Australians, everyone at Brisbane Roar FC has been watching the story of the Iran women’s national football team players now here in Queensland with immense admiration,” the club said.

“These are elite footballers — passionate, talented women who love the game just as deeply as we do. “To Fatemeh, Zahra, Zahra, Atefeh, Mona, and any of your teammates building a new life here in Australia: Brisbane is home to one of the country’s most passionate football communities, and the Roar family has a big heart. “We’d be honoured to open our doors and offer you a place to train, play, and belong and will begin to explore how to make this happen.” “No politics. No conditions. Just football, community, and a warm welcome. Queensland is your home now 🦁🧡”