Man accused of ramming Iran soccer team bus says he was supporting them

The man accused of ramming a bus containing the Iranian women's soccer team has conveyed his support for their plight.

Broadbeach Watersfather Mohammad Zargarvafa, 35, will fight the allegation he drove dangerously at the Iran women’s soccer team after footage appeared to show his ute ramming the team bus.

Mr Zargarvafa briefly appeared in Southport Magistrates Court on Tuesday charged with dangerous operation of a vehicle and evasion.

Iranian state television has released shock footage of a ute draped with an Australian flag appearing to ram the soccer team's bus in Queensland.

The charges relate to an alleged incident involving the Iranian women’s soccer team on March 10 when police claim a beige 2024 Volkswagen Amarok dual-cab utility vehicle collided with the team bus.

The team were on their way to Gold Coast airport, accompanied by a police convoy, after enlivened protesters blocked their vehicle.

The night before, five players escaped their handlers in an effort to seek asylum in Australia.

Outside court, Mr Zargarvafa expressed support for the Iranian women, sharing fears for their safety.

“I’m not guilty,” he told reporters.

“I was in stress, we tried to support the girls.”

Despite denying the charges, Mr Zargarvafa said he was following the team.

“We were following the bus,” he said.

“They are under pressure from IRGC(Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp)– a terrorist organisation.

“They are from our country and we try to support them; it is like my kids.”

Alleged footage of the incident was released by Iran’s First International News Network, Press TV, a network that has received criticism for issuing propaganda on behalf of the regime.

The vehicle in the Press TV footage appears to be flying multiple flags, including the Australian flag and pro-monarchy material.

On his social media Mr Zargarvafa’s appears critical of the regime, sharing a video in which a flying banner reads “SOS – IR gov kills innocent Iranians!”

In an Instagram link, the Queensland father promoted a petition that calls on the Australian government to revoke their support of the Islamic Republic of Iran in favour of a “secular democracy” in the region.

Concerns around the women’s safety arose after players withheld from singing the national anthem at their opening game at the Asian Women’s Cup earlier this month.

Iranian state television labelled the women “dishonourable” and “war time traitors” for the act.

Six players and one staff member were granted asylum by the Albanese government; however, five of the seven chose to return home, seemingly following reported regime pressure.

Mr Zargarvafa’s matters were adjourned until April 21, 2026.