FIFA called on to recognize exiled Afghanistan women’s soccer team

In a letter sent Friday to FIFA, bipartisan US lawmakers called on the international governing body of football to recognise the exiled Afghanistan women’s soccer team. The players fled to Australia as refugees after the Taliban took control of the Afghan government in 2021.

Ever since the takeover, which saw several prominent women flee the country for fear of persecution, Afghan women’s freedoms and rights have been drastically limited, with women banned from attending colleges, travelling without a male chaperone and playing soccer.

The UN has condemned the curtailing of rights as a potential crime against humanity. In the letter, a bipartisan group of US lawmakers argued recognising the Afghan team would send an important message to women and girls around the world.

Keep Reading

How Has The Situation Been For The Men’s Team?

The lawmakers called on FIFA to support “every woman and girl trapped under Taliban rule.” It comes as the FIFA Women’s World Cup enters its final stages. The exiled team launched a petition at the end of July that has received more than 80,000 signatures.

“We were forced to flee our homeland simply because we played football,” the players wrote in the petition, highlighting their dream of officially representing Afghanistan at the World Cup. “FIFA has repeatedly ignored our pleas to formally recognize our right to play,” they stressed.

Meanwhile, the organization continues to recognize the men’s team as official representatives of Afghanistan. It remains to be seen how circumstances for Afghan women change in the weeks ahead. Will it change for the better or just get worse with each passing day?

About WR News Writer

WR News Writer is an engineer turned professionally trained writer who has a strong voice in her writing. She speaks on issues of migrant workers, human rights, and more.

WR News Writer

WR News Writer is an engineer turned professionally trained writer who has a strong voice in her writing. She speaks on issues of migrant workers, human rights, and more.

Recent Posts

Spain Announces Ambitious Plan to Regularize Undocumented Migrants, Addressing Labor Shortages

Spain has recently presented new immigration policy plan, according to which about 300 thousand heads of illegal migrants are to…

November 21, 2024

1,500 Migrants Rush to US Border Ahead of Trump’s Inauguration

In an attempt to walk or find transportation to the U.S. border roughly 1,500 migrants assembled in a new caravan…

November 21, 2024

Hong Kong sentences 45 opposition activists under National Security Law

The special administrative region of Hong Kong has sentenced 45 opposition activists under China's National Security Law. The Human Rights…

November 20, 2024

Is global politics getting you exhausted? It is time to settle in a stunning paradise of Sardinia

Ollolai - a beautiful village on the Italian island of Sardinia - seems to have sniffed a potential opportunity out…

November 20, 2024

Hamburg to Build More Temporary Tents for Asylum Seekers Amidst Growing Refugee Crisis

In response to an escalating refugee crisis, Hamburg is creating additional tents to rapidly provide immigrants temporary accommodation. While the…

November 20, 2024

G20 Summit Concludes with Focus on Climate, Poverty, and Tax Reform

The G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro was concluded with the clear concentration on the Global South agenda which includes…

November 20, 2024

This website uses cookies.

Read More