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By ASHLEY NICKEL, NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA Published: 21: 46 AEST, 13 April 2026 | Updated: 21: 52 AEST, 13 April 2026 View comments The captain of the Iranian women's soccer team that took refuge in Australia after refusing to sing Iran's national anthem has had her assets seized by the government. Zahra Ghanbari was one of 400 Iranians named on an list of 'supporters of the enemy' by the Islamic Republic over the weekend. While the government mainly targeted figures associated with two media outlets it accused of 'supporting foreign attacks and backing hostile opposition groups abroad', it also named several prominent athletes, actors and executives. Iran's women's football team arrived in Australia for the Asia Cup in late February, shortly before the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran and killed its supreme leader, Ali Khamenei. On March 2, the group stood silently as Iran's national anthem was played before a match against South Korea. The quiet protest saw the team labelled 'wartime traitors' by Iranian press. Australia offered the team asylum for fear they would be persecuted if they returned to Iran. Team captain Ghanbari, and six other teammates, initially accepted the offer in the form of a humanitarian visa, but she abandoned it days later. It has been reported threats were made against the players' families in Iran, influencing their decisions. Four other team members have also returned, leaving only two left in Australia. Iranian women's soccer team captain Zahra Ghanbari (above) was named on a list of 'supporters of the enemy' by the Islamic Republic Ghanbari (centre) was one of 400 Iranians set to have their assets seized Ghanbari's return to Iran was publicised as a patriotic decision and Iranian authorities assured the international community she, and other team members, would not be punished over the incident. However, this weekend's seizures mark a worrying turn from the promise. The seizure of assets include bank accounts as well as both movable and immovable property. Authorities work to identify a person's assets by consulting the state property registration system. Occupants are typically evicted from any homes belonging to someone whose assets are being seized. Those properties are then either sold to auction or repurposed by the regime. Other prominent names featured on the list of 'supporters of the enemy' were actor Hamid Farokhnezhad, singers Ashkan Khatibi and Mazyar Fallahi, TV presenter Parastoo Salehi, and soccer player Mohammad Ali Karimi. However, the main targets were Iranians tied to news agencies Iran International and Manoto. Both outlets are among the highest rating Persian media outside of Iran and gained popualrity for reporting on the 'Woman, Life, Freedom' protests in 2023 and nationwide protests in January this year. Ghanbari (second left) was one of seven Iranian teammates who initially accepted asylum in Australia following a protest in March. Five have since returned to Iran Iranian footballer Fatemeh Pasandideh, who stayed in Australia, is pictured striking the ball during a training session with the Brisbane Roar Atefeh Ramezanisadeh is the other Iran international who now calls Australia and the Roar home after the drama surrounding the team's stay for the Asian Cup The Islamic Republic accused Iran International of being linked to Israel, despite operating in London and Washington. The agency is owned by Volant Media and holds a UK broadcasting licence through Global Media, neither of which as affiliated with Israel. Iranian outlet Mehr reported the crackdown was 'in line with the law on intensifying punishment for espionage and collaboration with the Zionist regime and hostile countries against national security and interests'.
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