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Deadspin | Michael King, Mason Miller help Padres stymie Angels  Apr 19, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; San Diego Padres first baseman Gavin Sheets (30) gestures after hitting a single during the fourth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images   Michael King allowed one hit over five shutout innings en route to his third straight victory and Mason Miller struck out two during a perfect ninth to pick up his eighth save as the San Diego Padres edged the Los Angeles Angels, 2-1, in the rubber game of their three-game series on Sunday afternoon in Anaheim, Calif.    King (3-1) walked four, hit a batter and struck out six before departing after throwing 105 pitches, 63 for strikes.    Miller extended his scoreless inning streak that dates back to Aug. 6, 2025 to 32 2/3 innings, one short of the San Diego record set by Cla Meredith in 2006. He touched 102.9 mph with one of his fastballs but got back-to-back strikeouts of Vaughn Grissom and Logan O’Hoppe with his slider to end the game.    Xander Bogaerts went 1-for-2 with two walks, an RBI and a run and Bryce Johnson doubled amongst two hits and an RBI for San Diego, which won its fifth straight series while improving to 13-2 over its last 15 games.     Walbert Urena (0-2) took the loss in his first major league start, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks over six-plus innings while striking out eight.    San Diego took a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning when Fernando Tatis Jr. led off with a single, stole second and scored on a two-out ground single to center by Bogaerts.    The Padres extended the lead to 2-0 in the seventh. Urena started the inning with back-to-back walks to Bogaerts and Gavin Sheets. Sam Bachman relieved and got Miguel Andujar to pop out and then struck out pinch-hitter Jake Cronenworth before Johnson lined a single to left, driving in Bogaerts.    Los Angeles cut the lead to 2-1 in bottom of the seventh against reliever Kyle Hart. Oswald Peraza led off with a double and Travis d’Arnaud was hit by a pitch. After Adam Frazier sacrificed the runners to second and third, Zach Neto drove in Peraza was a groundout to short.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Michael #King #Mason #Miller #Padres #stymie #Angels

Deadspin | Michael King, Mason Miller help Padres stymie Angels
Deadspin | Michael King, Mason Miller help Padres stymie Angels  Apr 19, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; San Diego Padres first baseman Gavin Sheets (30) gestures after hitting a single during the fourth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images   Michael King allowed one hit over five shutout innings en route to his third straight victory and Mason Miller struck out two during a perfect ninth to pick up his eighth save as the San Diego Padres edged the Los Angeles Angels, 2-1, in the rubber game of their three-game series on Sunday afternoon in Anaheim, Calif.    King (3-1) walked four, hit a batter and struck out six before departing after throwing 105 pitches, 63 for strikes.    Miller extended his scoreless inning streak that dates back to Aug. 6, 2025 to 32 2/3 innings, one short of the San Diego record set by Cla Meredith in 2006. He touched 102.9 mph with one of his fastballs but got back-to-back strikeouts of Vaughn Grissom and Logan O’Hoppe with his slider to end the game.    Xander Bogaerts went 1-for-2 with two walks, an RBI and a run and Bryce Johnson doubled amongst two hits and an RBI for San Diego, which won its fifth straight series while improving to 13-2 over its last 15 games.     Walbert Urena (0-2) took the loss in his first major league start, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks over six-plus innings while striking out eight.    San Diego took a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning when Fernando Tatis Jr. led off with a single, stole second and scored on a two-out ground single to center by Bogaerts.    The Padres extended the lead to 2-0 in the seventh. Urena started the inning with back-to-back walks to Bogaerts and Gavin Sheets. Sam Bachman relieved and got Miguel Andujar to pop out and then struck out pinch-hitter Jake Cronenworth before Johnson lined a single to left, driving in Bogaerts.    Los Angeles cut the lead to 2-1 in bottom of the seventh against reliever Kyle Hart. Oswald Peraza led off with a double and Travis d’Arnaud was hit by a pitch. After Adam Frazier sacrificed the runners to second and third, Zach Neto drove in Peraza was a groundout to short.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Michael #King #Mason #Miller #Padres #stymie #AngelsApr 19, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; San Diego Padres first baseman Gavin Sheets (30) gestures after hitting a single during the fourth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images

Michael King allowed one hit over five shutout innings en route to his third straight victory and Mason Miller struck out two during a perfect ninth to pick up his eighth save as the San Diego Padres edged the Los Angeles Angels, 2-1, in the rubber game of their three-game series on Sunday afternoon in Anaheim, Calif.

King (3-1) walked four, hit a batter and struck out six before departing after throwing 105 pitches, 63 for strikes.

Miller extended his scoreless inning streak that dates back to Aug. 6, 2025 to 32 2/3 innings, one short of the San Diego record set by Cla Meredith in 2006. He touched 102.9 mph with one of his fastballs but got back-to-back strikeouts of Vaughn Grissom and Logan O’Hoppe with his slider to end the game.

Xander Bogaerts went 1-for-2 with two walks, an RBI and a run and Bryce Johnson doubled amongst two hits and an RBI for San Diego, which won its fifth straight series while improving to 13-2 over its last 15 games.


Walbert Urena (0-2) took the loss in his first major league start, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks over six-plus innings while striking out eight.

San Diego took a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning when Fernando Tatis Jr. led off with a single, stole second and scored on a two-out ground single to center by Bogaerts.

The Padres extended the lead to 2-0 in the seventh. Urena started the inning with back-to-back walks to Bogaerts and Gavin Sheets. Sam Bachman relieved and got Miguel Andujar to pop out and then struck out pinch-hitter Jake Cronenworth before Johnson lined a single to left, driving in Bogaerts.

Los Angeles cut the lead to 2-1 in bottom of the seventh against reliever Kyle Hart. Oswald Peraza led off with a double and Travis d’Arnaud was hit by a pitch. After Adam Frazier sacrificed the runners to second and third, Zach Neto drove in Peraza was a groundout to short.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Michael #King #Mason #Miller #Padres #stymie #Angels

Apr 19, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; San Diego Padres first baseman Gavin Sheets (30) gestures after hitting a single during the fourth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images

Michael King allowed one hit over five shutout innings en route to his third straight victory and Mason Miller struck out two during a perfect ninth to pick up his eighth save as the San Diego Padres edged the Los Angeles Angels, 2-1, in the rubber game of their three-game series on Sunday afternoon in Anaheim, Calif.

King (3-1) walked four, hit a batter and struck out six before departing after throwing 105 pitches, 63 for strikes.

Miller extended his scoreless inning streak that dates back to Aug. 6, 2025 to 32 2/3 innings, one short of the San Diego record set by Cla Meredith in 2006. He touched 102.9 mph with one of his fastballs but got back-to-back strikeouts of Vaughn Grissom and Logan O’Hoppe with his slider to end the game.

Xander Bogaerts went 1-for-2 with two walks, an RBI and a run and Bryce Johnson doubled amongst two hits and an RBI for San Diego, which won its fifth straight series while improving to 13-2 over its last 15 games.

Walbert Urena (0-2) took the loss in his first major league start, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks over six-plus innings while striking out eight.

San Diego took a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning when Fernando Tatis Jr. led off with a single, stole second and scored on a two-out ground single to center by Bogaerts.

The Padres extended the lead to 2-0 in the seventh. Urena started the inning with back-to-back walks to Bogaerts and Gavin Sheets. Sam Bachman relieved and got Miguel Andujar to pop out and then struck out pinch-hitter Jake Cronenworth before Johnson lined a single to left, driving in Bogaerts.

Los Angeles cut the lead to 2-1 in bottom of the seventh against reliever Kyle Hart. Oswald Peraza led off with a double and Travis d’Arnaud was hit by a pitch. After Adam Frazier sacrificed the runners to second and third, Zach Neto drove in Peraza was a groundout to short.

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Michael #King #Mason #Miller #Padres #stymie #Angels

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A.J. Brown likely to be traded to Patriots <div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">The Pats remain one of the few teams with the cap space to take on Brown, while also being a contender where he can reasonably compete for a Super Bowl. Add in the fact that Brown has a prior relationship with head coach Mike Vrabel from their time on the Titans, and this always made the most sense. It would be a home-run move for the Pats, who are in dire need of more deep receiving threats. They stunned the NFL in 2025 by advancing to the Super Bowl, but the lack of offensive weapons (and quality blocking) was their Achilles heel, ensuring that QB Drake Maye never really had a shot.</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Meanwhile for the Eagles it means this team can stop pretending that everything is okay. The world saw the blowup between Brown and coach Nick Sirianni last season, which was more of a symptom from pressure that had been building behind the scenes. In back-to-back years Brown has barely cleared 1,000 receiving yards, largely due to how Jalen Hurts plays football. What was once a fantastic union has become a weird fit, with the Eagles’ honeymoon phase flaming out after the Super Bowl as Brown wanted more opportunities to put up numbers and help the Eagles win than he was getting with Hurts under center.</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">The stakes have been raised with the news that Brown won’t be attending offseason workouts with the Eagles, further cementing that his time in Philadelphia is done.</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">The big sticking point in trading Brown has been his contract, which is absolutely impossible to trade right now. If the Eagles were to deal Brown before June 1 they would take a $20M dead money cap hit, which the team can’t afford. By waiting until after June 1 they are able to change this into $7M in cap savings. Schefter also reports that getting draft picks in 2026 isn’t a priority for Philadelphia, who would rather have additional selections in 2027 or 2028, both of which are considered around the league to be stronger draft classes.</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">There is still a chance someone sweeps in with a better offer, but all signs right now point to the Patriots landing Brown for the 2026 season. Now we’ll wait to see if the Eagles turn to drafting a receiving this year, or instead look to make it a priority down the road.</p></div> #A.J #Brown #traded #Patriots

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Owen Coyle: India should make use of more talents from overseas like Ryan Williams <div id="content-body-70885515" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Ryan Williams’ goal in the AFC Cup Asian Cup qualifier against Hong Kong China here three weeks ago was perhaps the brightest spot in a season of gloom for Indian football. The inclusion of the Australian born striker to the Indian team is, in fact, the best thing to have happened for Indian football for a long time.</p><p>That should open the door for more players like Williams, raised overseas but eligible to represent India. Owen Coyle, the widely respected coach with vast experience in India and a former striker who has played in the English Premier League and for Ireland, believes India should look out for such talents from overseas.</p><p><b>READ</b> | <b><a href="https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/indian-football/ryan-williams-interview-exclusive-indian-football-team-debut-india-vs-hong-kong-afc-asian-cup-2027-qualifier/article70805636.ece" target="_blank">The Ryan Williams interview — India forward speaks about naturalisation, Indian football and more</a></b></p><p>And Coyle, who is back in India as the coach of Jamshedpur FC, reminds one that he is qualified to speak about it. “I was born in Scotland of Irish parents but grew up in Ireland, which I was able to represent in international football,” he told <i>Sportstar</i>.</p><p>“My dad left Donegal in Ireland to go to Scotland for work. My point is that if an Indian couple from Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai or Kolkata leave the country and they go to Manchester and they have a child, that child is not any less Indian because he’s born in Manchester: he is as Indian as any. The diaspora of India all over the world is incredible, so there should be plenty of footballing talents available.”</p><p>He feels India has the potential to do much better in international football and that the ISL has got a lot of things right. “What I can say from my experience is that when I came to India, the stadiums, the playing fields have been of a very high standard,” says Coyle, whose first assignment in India was with Chennaiyin FC, which he took to the ISL final from the bottom of the table in 2019-20. “What we want to do is to encourage more fans to come. I was in Chennai with 11 million people, and you want fans coming to the stadium to support the team.”</p><p>Coyle, who has experienced the joy of getting promoted to the Premier League both as coach and player (with Bolton Wanderers and Burnley respectively), wishes the Indians were more loyal. “I think in India, there is an element, maybe not with all the teams, but there is this element that fans support their team when they’re winning,” he says. “That should change.”</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 20, 2026</p></div> #Owen #Coyle #India #talents #overseas #Ryan #Williams

After playing in just eight games during the 2024 season, as Diggs suffered a torn ACL in Week 8 while playing for the Houston Texans, he signed a three-year deal with the New England Patriots in May of 2025. Diggs appeared in all 17 regular-season games for New England, catching 85 passes for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns in Foxborough. Diggs led the Patriots in targets with 102 — he was the only New England receiver with more than 90 targets — and also led the team in both receptions and receiving yardage.

How he was used in New England could be a window into his usage in Washington. According to charting data from Pro Football Focus, Kayshon Boutte saw the most downfield targets on the Patriots a year ago (21) followed by Mack Hollins with 16. (Pro Football Focus defines these targets as coming 20 yards or more downfield).

Where Diggs led the way was in the short and intermediate areas of the field, often on crossing routes. Again, turning to charting data from Pro Football Focus, Diggs led the Patriots with 77 targets in the short area of the field, defined as throws between the line of scrimmage and nine yards downfield. Hollins was second on the Patriots, with only 30 such targets.

Turning now to the Commanders, last year Deebo Samuel led the team in those targets with 26. But with Samuel now in San Francisco, Diggs will be tasked with working that area of the field, allowing Terry McLaurin to continue stretching defenses in the vertical passing game. That is where McLaurin is at his best, and if you look at his 2024 numbers (when playing with a healthy Jayden Daniels) McLaurin saw a staggering 32 deep targets that season, the most on the Commanders by far.

For context, Noah Brown and Dyami Brown tied for second with nine each.

Another factor to consider is this: Washington’s new offensive coordinator. David Blough steps into the role, replacing Kliff Kingsbury. The expectation is that Blough will lean into the under-center, play-action passing game, a schematic tweak that will create opportunities for Diggs on those crossing routes underneath.

McLaurin will be Washington’s WR1, with Diggs slotting nicely into that WR2 role. He’ll see volume in this system — meaning he offers a nice boost in PPR formats — and while McLaurin could siphon the bulk of touchdowns (remember Diggs had only four a season ago) and Daniels could vulture some as well with his legs, there will be production to be gained by drafting Diggs in the later rounds as a WR3 with WR2 upside.

#Stefon #Diggs #fantasy #football #outlook #Commanders #signing #means">Stefon Diggs fantasy football outlook: What Commanders signing means for 2026  Stefon Diggs finally has a home for the 2026 NFL season.After putting up solid numbers for the New England Patriots last year — more on that in a moment — Diggs has signed with the Washington Commanders for the 2026 campaign. According to multiple sources, the veteran WR inked a one-year deal with the Commanders worth up to  million. It is something of a homecoming for Diggs, who played his high school football at Good Counsel in Olney and played his college football at Maryland.With many readers entering fantasy draft season, the question is simple: What are the fantasy implications of Diggs signing with the Commanders?After playing in just eight games during the 2024 season, as Diggs suffered a torn ACL in Week 8 while playing for the Houston Texans, he signed a three-year deal with the New England Patriots in May of 2025. Diggs appeared in all 17 regular-season games for New England, catching 85 passes for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns in Foxborough. Diggs led the Patriots in targets with 102 — he was the only New England receiver with more than 90 targets — and also led the team in both receptions and receiving yardage.How he was used in New England could be a window into his usage in Washington. According to charting data from Pro Football Focus, Kayshon Boutte saw the most downfield targets on the Patriots a year ago (21) followed by Mack Hollins with 16. (Pro Football Focus defines these targets as coming 20 yards or more downfield).Where Diggs led the way was in the short and intermediate areas of the field, often on crossing routes. Again, turning to charting data from Pro Football Focus, Diggs led the Patriots with 77 targets in the short area of the field, defined as throws between the line of scrimmage and nine yards downfield. Hollins was second on the Patriots, with only 30 such targets.Turning now to the Commanders, last year Deebo Samuel led the team in those targets with 26. But with Samuel now in San Francisco, Diggs will be tasked with working that area of the field, allowing Terry McLaurin to continue stretching defenses in the vertical passing game. That is where McLaurin is at his best, and if you look at his 2024 numbers (when playing with a healthy Jayden Daniels) McLaurin saw a staggering 32 deep targets that season, the most on the Commanders by far.For context, Noah Brown and Dyami Brown tied for second with nine each.Another factor to consider is this: Washington’s new offensive coordinator. David Blough steps into the role, replacing Kliff Kingsbury. The expectation is that Blough will lean into the under-center, play-action passing game, a schematic tweak that will create opportunities for Diggs on those crossing routes underneath.McLaurin will be Washington’s WR1, with Diggs slotting nicely into that WR2 role. He’ll see volume in this system — meaning he offers a nice boost in PPR formats — and while McLaurin could siphon the bulk of touchdowns (remember Diggs had only four a season ago) and Daniels could vulture some as well with his legs, there will be production to be gained by drafting Diggs in the later rounds as a WR3 with WR2 upside.  #Stefon #Diggs #fantasy #football #outlook #Commanders #signing #means

85 passes for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns in Foxborough. Diggs led the Patriots in targets with 102 — he was the only New England receiver with more than 90 targets — and also led the team in both receptions and receiving yardage.

How he was used in New England could be a window into his usage in Washington. According to charting data from Pro Football Focus, Kayshon Boutte saw the most downfield targets on the Patriots a year ago (21) followed by Mack Hollins with 16. (Pro Football Focus defines these targets as coming 20 yards or more downfield).

Where Diggs led the way was in the short and intermediate areas of the field, often on crossing routes. Again, turning to charting data from Pro Football Focus, Diggs led the Patriots with 77 targets in the short area of the field, defined as throws between the line of scrimmage and nine yards downfield. Hollins was second on the Patriots, with only 30 such targets.

Turning now to the Commanders, last year Deebo Samuel led the team in those targets with 26. But with Samuel now in San Francisco, Diggs will be tasked with working that area of the field, allowing Terry McLaurin to continue stretching defenses in the vertical passing game. That is where McLaurin is at his best, and if you look at his 2024 numbers (when playing with a healthy Jayden Daniels) McLaurin saw a staggering 32 deep targets that season, the most on the Commanders by far.

For context, Noah Brown and Dyami Brown tied for second with nine each.

Another factor to consider is this: Washington’s new offensive coordinator. David Blough steps into the role, replacing Kliff Kingsbury. The expectation is that Blough will lean into the under-center, play-action passing game, a schematic tweak that will create opportunities for Diggs on those crossing routes underneath.

McLaurin will be Washington’s WR1, with Diggs slotting nicely into that WR2 role. He’ll see volume in this system — meaning he offers a nice boost in PPR formats — and while McLaurin could siphon the bulk of touchdowns (remember Diggs had only four a season ago) and Daniels could vulture some as well with his legs, there will be production to be gained by drafting Diggs in the later rounds as a WR3 with WR2 upside.

#Stefon #Diggs #fantasy #football #outlook #Commanders #signing #means">Stefon Diggs fantasy football outlook: What Commanders signing means for 2026

Stefon Diggs finally has a home for the 2026 NFL season.

After putting up solid numbers for the New England Patriots last year — more on that in a moment — Diggs has signed with the Washington Commanders for the 2026 campaign. According to multiple sources, the veteran WR inked a one-year deal with the Commanders worth up to $12 million. It is something of a homecoming for Diggs, who played his high school football at Good Counsel in Olney and played his college football at Maryland.

With many readers entering fantasy draft season, the question is simple: What are the fantasy implications of Diggs signing with the Commanders?

After playing in just eight games during the 2024 season, as Diggs suffered a torn ACL in Week 8 while playing for the Houston Texans, he signed a three-year deal with the New England Patriots in May of 2025. Diggs appeared in all 17 regular-season games for New England, catching 85 passes for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns in Foxborough. Diggs led the Patriots in targets with 102 — he was the only New England receiver with more than 90 targets — and also led the team in both receptions and receiving yardage.

How he was used in New England could be a window into his usage in Washington. According to charting data from Pro Football Focus, Kayshon Boutte saw the most downfield targets on the Patriots a year ago (21) followed by Mack Hollins with 16. (Pro Football Focus defines these targets as coming 20 yards or more downfield).

Where Diggs led the way was in the short and intermediate areas of the field, often on crossing routes. Again, turning to charting data from Pro Football Focus, Diggs led the Patriots with 77 targets in the short area of the field, defined as throws between the line of scrimmage and nine yards downfield. Hollins was second on the Patriots, with only 30 such targets.

Turning now to the Commanders, last year Deebo Samuel led the team in those targets with 26. But with Samuel now in San Francisco, Diggs will be tasked with working that area of the field, allowing Terry McLaurin to continue stretching defenses in the vertical passing game. That is where McLaurin is at his best, and if you look at his 2024 numbers (when playing with a healthy Jayden Daniels) McLaurin saw a staggering 32 deep targets that season, the most on the Commanders by far.

For context, Noah Brown and Dyami Brown tied for second with nine each.

Another factor to consider is this: Washington’s new offensive coordinator. David Blough steps into the role, replacing Kliff Kingsbury. The expectation is that Blough will lean into the under-center, play-action passing game, a schematic tweak that will create opportunities for Diggs on those crossing routes underneath.

McLaurin will be Washington’s WR1, with Diggs slotting nicely into that WR2 role. He’ll see volume in this system — meaning he offers a nice boost in PPR formats — and while McLaurin could siphon the bulk of touchdowns (remember Diggs had only four a season ago) and Daniels could vulture some as well with his legs, there will be production to be gained by drafting Diggs in the later rounds as a WR3 with WR2 upside.

#Stefon #Diggs #fantasy #football #outlook #Commanders #signing #means

Two former Iranian women footballers said Thursday they were “proud” to have been granted Australian citizenship after being branded traitors at home for refusing to sing the national anthem before a game.

Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh were members of a group of seven from Iran’s delegation who asked for Australia’s protection following the high-profile protest during the women’s Asian Cup in March.

With their demands for protection an embarrassment for Iran’s leaders but lauded by US President Donald Trump, five later changed their minds and returned home.

Pasandideh and Ramezanisadeh stayed, however, and were granted Australian citizenship at a ceremony on Wednesday overseen by interior minister Tony Burke.

“Yesterday was a truly special and unforgettable day for me. I feel proud and deeply grateful to become an Australian citizen,” Ramezanisadeh said in a statement.

“After everything we’ve been through and all the challenges we faced, this moment means more than words can express,” Pasandideh added.

A week after seeking asylum, the pair was pictured smiling and training with Australian club Brisbane Roar, which on Wednesday congratulated the pair.

“What they have been through since February is more than most people deal with in a lifetime,” a spokesman for the club said.

“To see them arrive at this point is something everyone here at Brisbane Roar is glad to have had a small part in,” they added.

“Queensland is their home now. If they ever want to pull on a training top and come back out with us, the door will always stay open.”

ALSO READ: Iran women football players thank Australian government for protection

The plight of the rest of the team remains unclear since their return to Iran.

AFP reporters saw them cross into their homeland from Turkey on a bus wearing the national team tracksuits and with their hair covered.

Soon after, Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on X that the players and their support team were “children of the homeland and the people of Iran embrace them”.

By returning, they had “disappointed the enemies (of Iran) and did not surrender to deception and intimidation by anti-Iran elements”, he added.

Published on Aug 06, 2026

#Iranian #women #footballers #granted #Australian #citizenship">Former Iranian women footballers granted Australian citizenship  Two former Iranian women footballers said Thursday they were “proud” to have been granted Australian citizenship after being branded traitors at home for refusing to sing the national anthem before a game.Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh were members of a group of seven from Iran’s delegation who asked for Australia’s protection following the high-profile protest during the women’s Asian Cup in March.With their demands for protection an embarrassment for Iran’s leaders but lauded by US President Donald Trump, five later changed their minds and returned home.Pasandideh and Ramezanisadeh stayed, however, and were granted Australian citizenship at a ceremony on Wednesday overseen by interior minister Tony Burke.“Yesterday was a truly special and unforgettable day for me. I feel proud and deeply grateful to become an Australian citizen,” Ramezanisadeh said in a statement.“After everything we’ve been through and all the challenges we faced, this moment means more than words can express,” Pasandideh added.A week after seeking asylum, the pair was pictured smiling and training with Australian club Brisbane Roar, which on Wednesday congratulated the pair.“What they have been through since February is more than most people deal with in a lifetime,” a spokesman for the club said.“To see them arrive at this point is something everyone here at Brisbane Roar is glad to have had a small part in,” they added.“Queensland is their home now. If they ever want to pull on a training top and come back out with us, the door will always stay open.”ALSO READ: Iran women football players thank Australian government for protectionThe plight of the rest of the team remains unclear since their return to Iran.AFP reporters saw them cross into their homeland from Turkey on a bus wearing the national team tracksuits and with their hair covered.Soon after, Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on        X that the players and their support team were “children of the homeland and the people of Iran embrace them”.By returning, they had “disappointed the enemies (of Iran) and did not surrender to deception and intimidation by anti-Iran elements”, he added.Published on Aug 06, 2026  #Iranian #women #footballers #granted #Australian #citizenship

Iran women football players thank Australian government for protection

The plight of the rest of the team remains unclear since their return to Iran.

AFP reporters saw them cross into their homeland from Turkey on a bus wearing the national team tracksuits and with their hair covered.

Soon after, Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on X that the players and their support team were “children of the homeland and the people of Iran embrace them”.

By returning, they had “disappointed the enemies (of Iran) and did not surrender to deception and intimidation by anti-Iran elements”, he added.

Published on Aug 06, 2026

#Iranian #women #footballers #granted #Australian #citizenship">Former Iranian women footballers granted Australian citizenship

Two former Iranian women footballers said Thursday they were “proud” to have been granted Australian citizenship after being branded traitors at home for refusing to sing the national anthem before a game.

Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh were members of a group of seven from Iran’s delegation who asked for Australia’s protection following the high-profile protest during the women’s Asian Cup in March.

With their demands for protection an embarrassment for Iran’s leaders but lauded by US President Donald Trump, five later changed their minds and returned home.

Pasandideh and Ramezanisadeh stayed, however, and were granted Australian citizenship at a ceremony on Wednesday overseen by interior minister Tony Burke.

“Yesterday was a truly special and unforgettable day for me. I feel proud and deeply grateful to become an Australian citizen,” Ramezanisadeh said in a statement.

“After everything we’ve been through and all the challenges we faced, this moment means more than words can express,” Pasandideh added.

A week after seeking asylum, the pair was pictured smiling and training with Australian club Brisbane Roar, which on Wednesday congratulated the pair.

“What they have been through since February is more than most people deal with in a lifetime,” a spokesman for the club said.

“To see them arrive at this point is something everyone here at Brisbane Roar is glad to have had a small part in,” they added.

“Queensland is their home now. If they ever want to pull on a training top and come back out with us, the door will always stay open.”

ALSO READ: Iran women football players thank Australian government for protection

The plight of the rest of the team remains unclear since their return to Iran.

AFP reporters saw them cross into their homeland from Turkey on a bus wearing the national team tracksuits and with their hair covered.

Soon after, Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on X that the players and their support team were “children of the homeland and the people of Iran embrace them”.

By returning, they had “disappointed the enemies (of Iran) and did not surrender to deception and intimidation by anti-Iran elements”, he added.

Published on Aug 06, 2026

#Iranian #women #footballers #granted #Australian #citizenship

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