The world football’s governing body FIFA says it is “negotiating the complex evacuation” of footballers and other athletes from Afghanistan.
Earlier this month, the captain of the Afghanistan women’s football team alongside other athletes across the globe called on FIFA to save their sisters (teammates) after the country’s capital city of Kabul fell to the Taliban.
During their previous rule from 1996 to 2001, the Taliban stopped girls from receiving any form of education, while women were unable to work or leave the house without being accompanied by a male relative. Those who defied them commonly received punishments and beatings.
Many of the country’s female footballers and other athletes have been advised to go into hiding. While many have lost hope, the world keeps demanding help from FIFA to help save the lives of those in hiding and restore hope of the girl-child.
FIFA has replied saying it is working with “governments and relevant organisations to make a complex evacuation”.
On Thursday, at least 60 people were killed and 140 others injured, from two explosions at the Kabul airport.
FIFA wrote to a number of governments earlier in August to request the evacuation of female players.
“FIFA’s leadership is personally involved in negotiating the complex evacuation of footballers and other athletes.
“This is an extremely challenging environment and, given the delicate and volatile situation on the ground, please understand we cannot provide any further details at this stage.” – the governing body stated.
Ex-captain Khalida Popal now works with FIFPRO to evacuate athletes. Which they have evacuated the women’s national team of 50 athletes on Tuesday along with their family members, thanks to the Australian government.
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