Australia grants citizenship to 2 Iranian women’s soccer players who sought asylum

MELBOURNE, Australia — Two members of the Iranian women’s soccer team who claimed asylum in Australia in March have been granted citizenship.

MELBOURNE, Australia — Two members of the Iranian women’s soccer team who claimed asylum in Australia in March have been granted citizenship.

Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh said in a statement Thursday that Immigration Minister Tony Burke swore them in the day before at a citizenship ceremony in their Australian home city of Brisbane.

Friends and supporters from the local Iranian community attended the ceremony.

“Yesterday was a truly special and unforgettable day for me. I feel proud and deeply grateful to become an Australian citizen. Australia has given me the opportunity to build my life and my future, and I feel, more than ever, that I belong here,” Ramezanisadeh said in the statement.

Ramezanisadeh said her Iranian roots and memories would always be part of her.