BRISBANE, Australia – Two Iranian women’s footballers who sought protection in Australia after publicly defying their government’s directives have officially become Australian citizens, months after choosing not to return to Iran. Okay News reports that Atefeh Ramezanisadeh, 34, and Fatemeh Pasandideh, 22, received their citizenship certificates during a ceremony in Brisbane attended by Australian Interior Minister Tony Burke. The pair were among seven members of Iran’s national women’s football team who were offered humanitarian visas while competing in Australia during the Women’s Asian Cup in March. The players came under scrutiny after refusing to sing the Iranian national anthem following the outbreak of the US-Israeli conflict with Iran. While five teammates later returned home, Ramezanisadeh and Pasandideh remained in Australia and pursued asylum.