FIFA examining sexual abuse allegations from Afghanistan women's side

The world football governing body FIFA, is currently undertaking an investigation into claims of sexual and physical abuse of members of the Afghanistan Women's national team. 

It has been alleged that members of the nation's football federation were responsible for the harassment, including its president Keramuudin Karim. 

The claims have prompted the team's kit sponsor, Hummel, to withdraw their backing of the federation, and have also called for new leadership of the organisation. 

Danish sportwear manufacturer, Hummel, has said that it had been “presented with strong allegations of severe mental, physical, sexual and equal-rights abuse of the female players by male AFF officials”, and so withdrew its funding.

Senior players of the Afghanistan Women's team have disclosed that the abuse took place within the country, including at the Federation's headquarters, and at a training camp in Jordan, last February. 

Alongside these revelations, published by 'The Guardian', the team captain Shabnam Mobarez, released a statement on behalf of the team, on her personal social media page. 

 

November 20, 2018

The Afghanistan Football Federation made a statement on the claims, in which it said that it  “vigorously rejects the false accusations made with regard to the AFF’s women’s national team."

FIFA has now confirmed that it is investigating the harrowing claims, and an inside source at the organisation divugeld that it was also liasing with the United Nations, by means of assuring the safety of the players involved. 

In a statement posted on its official webiste, FIFA said: 'The serious subjects mentioned are being looked into by Fifa. As some aspects of these allegations involve sensitive topics linked to the protection of those involved, we have sought support from relevant parties who willingly offered their support."

 

November 30, 2018

Former head of the Women's football department at the AFF, Khalida Popal, has also spoken out in support of the claims. 

Speaking of  the outcome of her own investigations into the abuse during her time with the Federation, Popal said: "“It was very difficult for us, living in the country, to talk about these things because these are very powerful guys. If a player from Afghanistan raised a voice they can get killed.”

Popal herself was forced to flee the country two years ago, but remains in contact with the team via the training camps she continues to organise, for players from both inside and outside the country. 

 

November 28, 2018

Sadly, it was at one of these camps, in Jordan in February, where some of the abuse is said to have taken place. 

Popal told her side of the story to 'The Guardian', explaining: "They sent two male representatives, going under the title of ‘head of women’s football’ and ‘assistant coach'. They were bullying and harassing the girls, particularly the ones from Afghanistan because they knew they wouldn’t speak up. I confronted them, told them they can’t do that and I’d make a complaint.

Popal elaborated: “It continued. These guys were calling on the rooms of the players and sleeping with the girls. AFF staff members would say to girls that they could get them on the team list and would pay them £100 a month if they would say yes to everything. They were pushing and forcing the girls. Coercing them.”

It has also emerged that, when the players did speak up, they were accused of being lesbians. In Afghanistan, to be labelled as gay or a lesbian can put families and players at danger, due to strict societal codes of behaviour.

The investigation will be thoroughly explored, with no decided permuatations or consequences as of yet, should the alleged offenders be found guilty.