[ransomnote]

Prayers up for these girls. I fear this cannot end well. The 'intimidation' may well be threats to execute parents or family unless the players return for execution instead. I doubt I'm exaggerating the facts here.

[Milagros]

They are being threatened by the regime, using their family in Iran

[Texas Eagle]

This is a f*cking outrage.

[Locomotive Breath]

I hate to hard hearted, but at this point why go back? They’ll be killed and then their families will be killed too.

[Georgia Girl 2]

I feel sorry for the ones who went back.

[V_TWIN]

I guess they really didn’t think requesting asylum through then.

What did they think would happen to their families?

I suspect they will now disappear just as their families have.

[MtnClimber]

If they go back they will be killed as an example to others. Their families? Going back will not save them. Where is the UN?????

[Ben Dover]

That smoky smell they are sensing is from the bridges that are burning the moment they applied for asylum.

[iontheball]

How anyone can say anything positive about the Devil’s (Allah’s) hell hole on earth is mind boggling.

[mewzilla]

Piers Morgan rips Megan Rapinoe as 'hypocritical' over silence on Iranian women's soccer team 'The silence over this from Rapinoe, and so many supposed ‘feminists’ like her, is so telling, damning, and hypocritical,' Morgan said

I'd add gutless.

[Jonty30]

They are all dead if they go back, at least until the war is over.

[HereInTheHeartland]

Terrible situation .
By publicly doing their brave defiance ; their family members could be killed.

[moviefan8]

Sad.

Their families are probably already dead and these athletics will be soon.

[moviefan8]

Sad.

Their families are probably already dead and these athletes will be dead soon.

[MeanWestTexan]

Australia should “arrest” the girls for something bogus.

Then release them on signature bond, conditioned on not leaving the country.

[TLI]

“When you do break a contract as an athlete in Iran you can face the death penalty.”

.

So, they can not leave.

Why is this reminding me of California?

.

[The Great RJ]

Whatever promises were made to them to get them to return are lies and I expect they will be severely punished if not executed.

[bitt]

P

[Windcatcher]

I have two words for everyone:

Soviet Union

We're seeing the repeat of history. If you're over the age of 50, you recognize this. You've seen it before when it came to Soviet defectors and the pressure on them to return. Iranians have become the Soviets of our time.

"Focus of evil in the modern world", indeed.

[dfwgator]

I wonder what Megan Rapinhoe’s reaction is.