Two Iranian footballers who made world headlines for defying Tehran are now Australian citizens. The geopolitical stoush began when they refused to sing the Islamic Republic’s national anthem at the women’s Asian Cup this year. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Iranian footballers granted Australian citizenship after defectingKnow the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today ArrowBut as their teammates left the tournament, they defected, remaining here on humanitarian visas. Months after being branded as “wartime traitors”, they can now call Australia home, having been granted citizenship on Wednesday. Atefeh Ramezanisadeh and Fatemeh Pasandideh expressed their gratitude back in April after accepting an offer to stay in Australia following Iran’s controversial Asian Cup campaign.