JK Rowling has published an urgent plea to football governing bodies demanding they safeguard Iran's women's national team following their controversial anthem protest at the Women's Asian Cup.
The Harry Potter author posted on X, tagging FIFA, Football Australia, and the UAE Football Association with the message: "Please, protect these young women."
Ms Rowling shared footage from the account "Throwback Iran" depicting the Iranian squad's bus departing Gold Coast stadium.
The clip captured members of the Iranian Australian community chanting "Save our girls" whilst supporters called out "We love you," "Don't leave," and "Stay in Australia."
JK Rowling has called for the team to be protected
| PACaptions accompanying the video suggested players were making sign language gestures for "help" as their coach departed the venue.
British-Iranian comic Omid Djalili also shared the footage. "Iran Women’s soccer team exits Asian Cup in Australia and prepare to return home," he began.
"They do the hand sign from the coach that they are in danger, an international signal that they need help. Women do this if they can’t speak and their lives are at risk.
"All this because they refused to sing the national anthem of the Islamic regime. Please share urgently."
If my own daughters were among these girls I wouldn't hesitate to urge them to stay where they were safe, no matter the consequences to me.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) March 8, 2026
When another X user replied to suggest any refusal to return home could result in repercussions for the players' families, Ms Rowling continued her defence of the squad.
"If my own daughters were among these girls I wouldn't hesitate to urge them to stay where they were safe, no matter the consequences to me," the author said.
The protest occurred during Iran's opening fixture against South Korea on March 2, when players stood in silence rather than singing their national anthem or performing the customary military salute. They lost that match 3-0.
The squad subsequently reversed course, singing the anthem and saluting before their 4-0 defeat to hosts Australia on Thursday and their 2-0 loss to the Philippines on Sunday, which eliminated them from the tournament.
The Iranian women's football team refused to sing the anthem ahead of one of their Asian Cup games
|GETTY
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Iranian state television responded to the initial protest by labelling the players "traitors." Presenter Mohammad Reza Shahbazi issued a stark warning: "In times of war, traitors must be dealt with more harshly. Anyone who takes even a single step against the country during wartime must face stronger consequences."
The team has offered no official explanation for their silence during that first match.
The players now face potential execution upon their return, as treason carries the death penalty under Iranian law.
Journalist Ali Bornaei appealed directly to Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong on X, stating: "The lives of the Iranian Women's National Football Team are in imminent danger.
JK Rowling has been a vocal opponent of the Iranian regime
| GETTY"After their peaceful protest in Australia, Iranian state-linked media has officially labelled them 'wartime traitors'. In Iran, 'treason' is a capital offence punishable by death. These athletes face arbitrary detention and execution if forced to return."
Paul Power, chief executive of the Refugee Council, echoed these concerns. "Certainly on the evidence that's available, it would appear that the members of the women's soccer team are at risk if they're returned," he said.
Tournament organisers have not announced when the Iranian delegation will depart Australia.
Australia's shadow attorney general Julian Leeser has demanded the government offer asylum to the squad. "On International Women's Day we must stand up for the women in our midst," he declared.
Comedian Omid Djalili has also called on action to be taken to protect the team
| PA"Given the serious threats, members of the Iranian team should be offered asylum if they want it. The Australian government should not turn a blind eye to the danger these women face."
Dozens of demonstrators gathered outside the stadium following Sunday's match, slowing the team bus whilst chanting "let them go."
Foreign Minister Penny Wong declined to confirm whether officials had contacted individual players but expressed Australia's solidarity with the team. "We know this regime has brutally oppressed many Iranian women," she told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
Multiple Iranian community organisations have contacted the government expressing grave concerns about the squad's safety.