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Deadspin | WNBA draft second-most watched ever with 1.5M viewers  Apr 13, 2026; New York, NY, USA; WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert (left) hugs Azzi Fudd who was selected first overall by the Dallas Wings during the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed at Hudson Yards. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images   With uncertainty over the identity of the top overall pick and new NCAA champion UCLA producing a record number of selections, the WNBA draft drew its second-highest viewership total ever on Monday.  According to ESPN, 1.5 million watched the event, a 20% increase from last year’s draft. The audience reached a peak of 1.79 million tuning in shortly before 8 p.m. ET.  The record viewership of 2.45 million was established in 2024, when college stars Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese went first and seventh overall, respectively.  This year, the Dallas Wings chose UConn’s Azzi Fudd No. 1 overall. The Wings also had the first pick last year, which they used to select Fudd’s former UConn teammate, Paige Bueckers, who went on to win WNBA Rookie of the Year.   The Bruins, who won their first NCAA title earlier this month, established WNBA draft records with five first-round picks and six total players chosen.  Lauren Betts (No. 4 to the Washington Mystics), Gabriela Jaquez (No. 5 to the Chicago Sky), Kiki Rice (No. 6 to the expansion Toronto Tempo), Angela Dugalic (No. 9 to the Washington Mystics) and Gianna Kneepkens (No. 15 to the Connecticut Sun) were first-round selections. Charlisse Leger-Walker was chosen with the third pick of the second round (No. 18 overall), by the Sun.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #WNBA #draft #secondmost #watched #1.5M #viewers

Deadspin | WNBA draft second-most watched ever with 1.5M viewers
Deadspin | WNBA draft second-most watched ever with 1.5M viewers  Apr 13, 2026; New York, NY, USA; WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert (left) hugs Azzi Fudd who was selected first overall by the Dallas Wings during the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed at Hudson Yards. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images   With uncertainty over the identity of the top overall pick and new NCAA champion UCLA producing a record number of selections, the WNBA draft drew its second-highest viewership total ever on Monday.  According to ESPN, 1.5 million watched the event, a 20% increase from last year’s draft. The audience reached a peak of 1.79 million tuning in shortly before 8 p.m. ET.  The record viewership of 2.45 million was established in 2024, when college stars Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese went first and seventh overall, respectively.  This year, the Dallas Wings chose UConn’s Azzi Fudd No. 1 overall. The Wings also had the first pick last year, which they used to select Fudd’s former UConn teammate, Paige Bueckers, who went on to win WNBA Rookie of the Year.   The Bruins, who won their first NCAA title earlier this month, established WNBA draft records with five first-round picks and six total players chosen.  Lauren Betts (No. 4 to the Washington Mystics), Gabriela Jaquez (No. 5 to the Chicago Sky), Kiki Rice (No. 6 to the expansion Toronto Tempo), Angela Dugalic (No. 9 to the Washington Mystics) and Gianna Kneepkens (No. 15 to the Connecticut Sun) were first-round selections. Charlisse Leger-Walker was chosen with the third pick of the second round (No. 18 overall), by the Sun.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #WNBA #draft #secondmost #watched #1.5M #viewersApr 13, 2026; New York, NY, USA; WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert (left) hugs Azzi Fudd who was selected first overall by the Dallas Wings during the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed at Hudson Yards. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

With uncertainty over the identity of the top overall pick and new NCAA champion UCLA producing a record number of selections, the WNBA draft drew its second-highest viewership total ever on Monday.

According to ESPN, 1.5 million watched the event, a 20% increase from last year’s draft. The audience reached a peak of 1.79 million tuning in shortly before 8 p.m. ET.

The record viewership of 2.45 million was established in 2024, when college stars Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese went first and seventh overall, respectively.


This year, the Dallas Wings chose UConn’s Azzi Fudd No. 1 overall. The Wings also had the first pick last year, which they used to select Fudd’s former UConn teammate, Paige Bueckers, who went on to win WNBA Rookie of the Year.

The Bruins, who won their first NCAA title earlier this month, established WNBA draft records with five first-round picks and six total players chosen.

Lauren Betts (No. 4 to the Washington Mystics), Gabriela Jaquez (No. 5 to the Chicago Sky), Kiki Rice (No. 6 to the expansion Toronto Tempo), Angela Dugalic (No. 9 to the Washington Mystics) and Gianna Kneepkens (No. 15 to the Connecticut Sun) were first-round selections. Charlisse Leger-Walker was chosen with the third pick of the second round (No. 18 overall), by the Sun.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #WNBA #draft #secondmost #watched #1.5M #viewers

Apr 13, 2026; New York, NY, USA; WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert (left) hugs Azzi Fudd who was selected first overall by the Dallas Wings during the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed at Hudson Yards. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

With uncertainty over the identity of the top overall pick and new NCAA champion UCLA producing a record number of selections, the WNBA draft drew its second-highest viewership total ever on Monday.

According to ESPN, 1.5 million watched the event, a 20% increase from last year’s draft. The audience reached a peak of 1.79 million tuning in shortly before 8 p.m. ET.

The record viewership of 2.45 million was established in 2024, when college stars Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese went first and seventh overall, respectively.

This year, the Dallas Wings chose UConn’s Azzi Fudd No. 1 overall. The Wings also had the first pick last year, which they used to select Fudd’s former UConn teammate, Paige Bueckers, who went on to win WNBA Rookie of the Year.

The Bruins, who won their first NCAA title earlier this month, established WNBA draft records with five first-round picks and six total players chosen.

Lauren Betts (No. 4 to the Washington Mystics), Gabriela Jaquez (No. 5 to the Chicago Sky), Kiki Rice (No. 6 to the expansion Toronto Tempo), Angela Dugalic (No. 9 to the Washington Mystics) and Gianna Kneepkens (No. 15 to the Connecticut Sun) were first-round selections. Charlisse Leger-Walker was chosen with the third pick of the second round (No. 18 overall), by the Sun.

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #WNBA #draft #secondmost #watched #1.5M #viewers

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MI vs PBKS IPL 2026, Live streaming info: When and where to watch Mumbai Indians vs Punjab Kings match today? <div id="content-body-70864946" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Mumbai Indians will take on Punjab Kings at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday in the Indian Premier League (IPL).</p><p>Mumbai has lost three of the four games it has played, sitting ninth in the table. Meanwhile, Punjab remains unbeaten with three wins from four games and one no-result.</p><p>Last season, PBKS won both its encounters against MI by seven and five wickets with one win being in the Qualifier-2.</p><p><i>Here are the live streaming and telecast details:</i></p><p><b>Where will the Mumbai Indians vs Punjab Kings IPL 2026 be played?</b></p><p>The Mumbai Indians vs Punjab Kings IPL 2026 match will be played at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.</p><p><b>When will the Mumbai Indians vs Punjab Kings IPL 2026 be played?</b></p><p>The Mumbai Indians vs Punjab Kings IPL 2026 match will be played on Thursday, April 16.</p><p><b>At what time will the Mumbai Indians vs Punjab Kings IPL 2026 match start?</b></p><p>The Mumbai Indians vs Punjab Kings IPL 2026 match will start at 7:30 PM IST.</p><p><b>At what time will the toss for Mumbai Indians vs Punjab Kings IPL 2026 match happen?</b></p><p>The toss of the Mumbai Indians vs Punjab Kings IPL 2026 match will take place at 7:00 PM IST.</p><p><b>Which TV channel will broadcast the Mumbai Indians vs Punjab Kings IPL 2026 match?</b></p><p>The Mumbai Indians vs Punjab Kings IPL 2026 match will be televised live on the <i>Star Sports Network</i> in India.</p><p><b>How to watch the live streaming of the Mumbai Indians vs Punjab Kings IPL 2026 match?</b></p><p>The Mumbai Indians vs Punjab Kings IPL 2026 match will be streamed live on the <i>JioHotstar </i>app and website.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 16, 2026</p></div> #PBKS #IPL #Live #streaming #info #watch #Mumbai #Indians #Punjab #Kings #match #today

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Ind vs SA T20I: A series that arrives with context attached <div id="content-body-70832862" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Five months ago, on the now hallowed turf of the D.Y. Patil Stadium, India and South Africa came face to face, with a shiny ICC ODI World Cup trophy propped between them. An epic final ensued, with momentum swinging wildly between the two challengers. Eventually, India entered a vortex of glory, one unexplored before, with a sea of blue chanting as it ascended the 50-over throne. The Proteas, meanwhile, were resigned to a familiar loop of despair.</p><p>In 2023, Meg Lanning’s Australia denied the side World T20 glory in front of a heartbroken home crowd. In 2024, it was Sophie Devine’s White Ferns who blew the South Africans away into the Emirati desert. A third heartbreak, this time on Indian soil, can do one of two things: birth an almost vengeful pursuit of triumph or break the progress made so far. When the T20 World Cup comes around in June, this time in England, the ecosystem will have its answers.</p><p>A credible dress rehearsal is on the cards when Harmanpreet Kaur and Co. fly to South Africa for a five-match T20I series starting April 17. This is the last bilateral series the Proteas will play before boarding the flight to England, leaving a 47-day gap before they take the field again in the World Cup. India, meanwhile, has squeezed in a T20I series against England, three matches that will aid acclimatisation and offer a more realistic picture of form and adaptability to conditions.</p><p>Both sides are placed in Group 1 alongside Australia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the Netherlands, with their encounter in the T20 showpiece scheduled for June 21 at Old Trafford in Manchester. The two nations have faced each other in 19 T20Is, with India winning 10, South Africa six, and three yielding no result.</p><p>Since the 2024 World Cup, India has played four T20I series, against West Indies (home), England (away), Sri Lanka (home), and Australia (away), winning them all. A particularly historic result was beating six-time world T20 champion Australia in its own backyard 2-1, a series triumph Down Under that came after a decade. That the rest of the tour went remarkably abysmally is a conversation for another day.</p><p>While the 2024 T20 World Cup came with experimentation en masse, with several debuts handed out, the Indian team one sees today is far more stable, working around a core group. Shafali Verma is back in the thick of things and is set to play her 100th T20I during the series. In the big picture, it is a heartening sign of how regular fixtures for this Indian women’s team, which once played a tour a year at times, have now become. Smriti Mandhana has found consistency, but the middle order still needs bolstering.</p><p>Towards that end, young Anushka Sharma has been handed a maiden call-up after promising performances in the domestic circuit and in her debut Women’s Premier League season, where the 22-year-old offspin-bowling all-rounder impressed for Gujarat Giants by scoring 177 runs, with 124 of them coming in boundaries. Her fluency at No. 3 and scoring intent make her a solid alternative to Harleen Deol, whose strike rate and rotation have often drawn flak.</p><p>Another interesting addition to the setup is Anushka’s Giants teammate Bharti Fulmali, who last featured for India in 2019. Her ability to accelerate lower down the order is a role she has prolifically essayed for Vidarbha and the Giants over the years. Consistency has often pushed her out of the reckoning, but the 2025 and 2026 WPL seasons saw her deliver in crunch situations, enough to earn the trust of the management. A partnership between her and Richa Ghosh could help India avoid the occasional drop in momentum in the slog overs, especially if wickets fall.</p><p>India has dropped budding keeper-batter G. Kamalini, whose topsy-turvy debut against Sri Lanka showed that her glovework still needs fine-tuning. Uma Chetry returns, and while she is a stable presence behind the stumps, her batting returns are not like-for-like. The issue of Richa not having credible competition to keep her on her toes has been brewing for a few years now, particularly in her role lower down the order, and is something the think tank must address in the larger scheme of things.</p><p>With the World Cup in pace-friendly England, India’s top priority will be sharpening its seam attack. Kranti Gaud, Arundhati Reddy, and Renuka Singh Thakur are joined by Kashvee Gautam, who will look to shake off injury interruptions and make a strong case for the Indian 15. This is particularly crucial given the careful workload management of Renuka and her limited utility with the bat. Kashvee, a handy batter who can hit long, adds depth to the lower order.</p><p>For South Africa, two series wins have come in the five played: against relatively weaker teams like Ireland and Pakistan. With Marizanne Kapp’s workload being carefully managed, the bowling has looked a little blunt, allowing standout performances like Fatima Sana’s striking across formats and Amelia Kerr’s unbeaten 179 in a record-breaking ODI chase.</p><p>The South African top order has been among the runs and will look to build consistency against a probing Indian attack before the World Cup. A fresh addition is Kayla Reyneke, who helped secure thrilling wins against Pakistan and New Zealand. Having led the U-19 setup, the off-spin allrounder will aim to cement her place. Another selection to watch is former captain Dane van Niekerk (pic, below), reintegrated as a pure batter. Questions around fitness and competition remain, but coach Mandla Mashimbyi will welcome this as a problem worth having. Onto Kingsmead!</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 16, 2026</p><h3 class="title-patch">More stories from this issue</h3></div> #Ind #T20I #series #arrives #context #attached

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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