Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has described two Iranian female footballers who sought asylum in Australia as having been “misled” and called for their return to Iran.

Axar.az informs that Australia granted humanitarian visas to six players and one support staff member from the Iranian squad in early March after they sought asylum over fears of possible persecution upon returning home.

The concerns came after they failed to sing the national anthem at a Women's Asian Cup match. Three members of the delegation decided to abandon the asylum offer. Another member later changed her mind, leaving only two members in Australia.

Of those who chose to return to Iran, Pezeshkian said: "We take pride in them and thank them and their families."

"Our girls in Australia have delivered a strong blow to the enemy. Those two dear girls who were misled by the enemies are always welcome back whenever they return; our arms are open to them," he added.