Captain of Iranian women's football team becomes fifth team member to withdraw claim of asylum

The captain of Iran's women's football team has withdrawn her claim of asylum in Australia and left the country.

The federal government confirmed that Zahra Ghanbari has reversed her earlier decision to accept humanitarian visas alongside her teammates overnight.

Ghanbari is expected to fly to Malaysia before returning home to Iran.

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Separate reports claimed her mother in Iran had been interrogated by the country's Revolutionary Guard after Ghanbari and six teammates were granted asylum by the federal government last week.

Over the weekend, four members of the team departed Australia after they changed their mind and decided to return home to Iran.

Tasnim News Agency, which is linked to the Iranian regime, said the women were "returning to the warm embrace of their family and homeland".

"The disgraceful failure of the American-Australian project and another failure for Trump," it said in a statement.

Five of the seven team members who were granted humanitarian visas in Australia have since withdrawn their bid for asylum.

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"After telling Australian officials they had made this decision, the players were given repeated chances to talk about their options," Burke said in a statement yesterday.

"While the Australian government can ensure that opportunities are provided and communicated, we cannot remove the context in which the players are making these incredibly difficult decisions.

"The Australian government has done everything we could to make sure these women were provided with the chance for a safe future in Australia."

Concerns had grown for the footballers when it was claimed at least one of the women made "a sign for help" as the team bus left Gold Coast Stadium at the end of their Asia Cup campaign.

The players also feared for their safety after being labelled traitors for not singing the national anthem during a game against South Korea.

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