The players slipped away from the team hotel under the cover of darkness to claim sanctuary after they were branded "traitors" at home for refusing to sing the national anthem. GOLD COAST: Five players from Iran's visting women's football team claimed asylum in Australia on Tuesday (Mar 10), seeking protection after they were branded "traitors" at home for refusing to sing the national anthem. Iranian players fell silent as the anthem played ahead of a tournament match in Australia last week,