Fatemeh Pasandeh, an Iranian national football player who defected to Australia together with “Atifeh Ramazani-Zadeh,” said in a message that she has received Australian citizenship and described this day as “the beginning of a new chapter” in her life.

In the message, she thanked the Australian government for providing the opportunity to start over, and also expressed her gratitude to the Iranian community in that country for its support, empathy, and companionship over the past years.

Pasandeh emphasized that from now on she will strive to play a role in the progress and future of Australia as a responsible citizen and to fulfill her share in the development of this country.

At the same time, referring to her Iranian identity, she wrote that she will never forget her roots and that she will always work with pride to keep the name of Iran alive. She also paid tribute to those who lost their lives and stressed the importance of not forgetting the prisoners who are still suffering in prisons in Iran.

At the end of her message, Fatemeh Pasandeh thanked Australia for accepting her as a citizen of the country and called it “her home.”