The UN Special Rapporteur on Afghanistan is urging a “strong position” from FIFA to help women from the nation return to international football.
Afghanistan’s national women’s football team has gained support from the UN Special Rapporteur to urge athletes around the world to strengthen solidarity in combating exclusion from World Cup qualifying competitions since the 2021 Taliban acquisition.
Many players on the team fled the country at the time because they feared persecution.
The FIFA rules require recognition by the national federation, and women’s teams were unable to compete internationally as the Taliban-controlled Afghan football federation banned women from playing.
The Taliban says that women’s rights should be respected in accordance with interpretations of Islamic law and local customs, and that internal issues need to be addressed locally.
At a news briefing hosted by the Sports & Rights Alliance on Tuesday, the captain of Afghan national team Murusalsadat highlighted the importance of global unification in the fight for gender equality in sports.
“If there’s one thing we need from athletes around the world, it’s time for us to unite together, and then women support other women,” she said.
“It gives us a lot of inspiration and support, because you have the voice to use and that platform is there to be used.”
Sadatt added that even the short videos posted by athletes on social media are indicative of solidarity against gender-based violence taking place in Afghanistan.
Afghanistan’s UN Special Rapporteur Richard Bennett said Wednesday that FIFA was calling for action along with female Afghan footballers.
“We will support calls by FIFA’s Sports & Rights Alliance, taking a strong position on systemic gender oppression and enabling exile Afghan female footballers who are prohibited from playing in Afghanistan to return to international competition,” Bennett writes about X.
Harida Popal, the founder of the national team and former captain, said the players are not fighting the global football governing body, but rather wanting collaboration.
“Our platform is sports. We include FIFA because we don’t fight against FIFA or any other organization, along with everyone, including everyone, the media, individuals, organizations, governing bodies, and FIFA,” Popal says.
“We want to find the best solution, as we use Afghanistan as an example to ensure that other countries are not facing what we are facing.”
In 2020, Afghanistan had 25 female football players signed, most of whom currently live in Australia.
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