Iranian women's soccer players Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh thanked the Australian government on Friday for offering a "safe ​haven" and said they wished to resume their sporting careers after rebuilding their lives, Reuters reported. 

In their first public comments since being granted humanitarian visas, the players said in a statement the compassion and support shown ​to them had provided them hope for a future ​where they could live and compete in safety.

"We wish ⁠to express our deepest gratitude to the Australian government, and ​particularly Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, for granting us humanitarian protection ​and a safe haven in this beautiful country," they said.