Iranian Australian Patriots Association co-founder Minoo Taghizadeh said she is “absolutely heartbroken” by the treatment of the Iranian women’s football team at Sydney Airport, in which the travelling party was whisked from the tarmac onto a bus with a police escort.
Minoo and co-founder husband Maani Taghizadeh were highly critical of the role that federal police played in the transfer, claiming the officers “kicked us out” of the terminal following a tense standoff after the group was driven from the plane.
Minoo was among the protesters who interpreted a light flashing from the coach as a sign of help. It followed a handful of players issuing an ‘SOS’ call while leaving the Gold Coast Stadium following an Asian Cup match earlier this week.
She was also critical of US President Donald Trump’s intervention in the team’s case, after he called Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at 2am on Tuesday to check on the handling of humanitarian visas.
“The Albanese government said that they had a choice, but no, they don’t have any choice,” Minoo said outside Sydney Airport.
