Soccer

Australia had granted humanitarian visas to six players and one support staff member last week from the Iranian squad after they sought asylum over fears of possible persecution upon returning home.

The confrontation came in the 28th week of La Liga during a tightly contested match that Atlético won 1-0.

The exact number of delegation members seeking protection remains unclear, with accounts from activists, officials, and Iranian state media differing.

Kiryat Shmona, which sits on the northern border just a stone’s throw from Lebanon, has suffered from almost nonstop rocket and drone attacks, forcing many of its residents to evacuate the city.

Iran’s regime strengthens its grip on dissent, with continued arrests and a strict internet blackout, as the threat of future protests looms over the country’s fragile stability.

Concerns about the players' safety upon their return home grew after Iranian state television labeled the team "wartime traitors" for refusing to sing the national anthem during a women's Asian Cup.

Gandelman has transformed into the “new face” of US Lecce in just a few short weeks, a player in the right place at the right time to secure a vital 2-1 victory.

Five players were initially granted asylum on Tuesday, with one player later changing her mind and electing to return home to Iran.

A state cup final in Brazil descended into chaos as a mass brawl between Cruzeiro and Atlético Mineiro at the Mineirão produced a record 23 red cards and forced military police onto the field.

The five players, including team captain Zahra Ghanbari, sought protection after the team were branded "wartime traitors" for refusing to sing their national anthem before an Asian Cup match.