After a 2-0 loss to the Philippines in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026, the Iranian team stood silent during their national anthem before their opener on Tuesdays, drawing treason accusations from state media that could mean death penalties amid Iran’s post-Khamenei chaos.

Two days ago, Iranian state media branded the women “wartime traitors.” When the regime TV host vowed the football team will be punished when they return to Iran.

Protesters blocked their bus, police cleared a path to the hotel, and figures J.K. Rowling, the Harry Potter author has called on football associations to step in and protect the team from returning to Iran, stating: “Please, protect these young women.”

Though the Iranian women’s football team are still in Australia but there are over 60,000-signature petition urging the government to protect or grant asylum to the players who are in their late teens.

On Tuesday, the Iranian women’s football team refused to sing the anthem of the Islamic Regime.

Tonight, they were captured by the Regime and sent back to Iran to die.