Two Iranian female footballers granted Australian citizenship after protest

• Iran players stayed in country after Asian Cup in March

• Duo condemned as traitors in Iran for not singing anthem

Two former Iranian footballers said on Thursday they were “proud” to have been granted Australian citizenship after being called traitors at home for refusing to sing the national anthem before a game.

Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh were members of a group of seven from Iran’s delegation who asked for Australia’s protection after the high-profile protest during the women’s Asian Cup in March.