Five players from the Iranian women’s football team have been granted asylum by Australia over fears they may face persecution if they return home. The news comes after the Iranian team declined to sing the country’s national anthem prior to their Asian Cup group A match against South Korea in Robina The move not to sing the anthem was seen as a protest against the Islamic Republic, which has been engaged in a conflict with the US and Israel that has seen Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei killed. The protest received widespread criticism from supporters of the regime in Iran, with the players being described as “wartime traitors." Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting commentator Mohammad Reza Shahbazi noted that refusing to sing the anthem was the “pinnacle of dishonor" and that "traitors during wartime must be dealt with more severely." The players sang the national anthem before their second game against Australia and again before their third and final game against the Philippines. Fans at the game against the Philippines flew pre-1979 Iranian flags and chanted “save our girls” while also attempting to stop the team’s coach from leaving the stadium in Robina. The five girls secretly left their hotel base in Queensland with police, according to Iran's semi-official Fars news agency. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, who met the players, said, “They are welcome to stay in Australia, and they are safe here and should feel at home here." The government’s decision to grant the women asylum came amid international pressure to prevent the players from leaving Australia. US President Donald Trump took to social media, calling on Australia to not allow the Iranians to send the players home, describing it as a “terrible humanitarian mistake” to do so. Trump, who held talks with Australia’s prime minister Anthony Albanese regarding the situation, added that "the US will take them if you won't."