The national selected, team members and family members left Kabul with the support of the Australian government
The players of the National women’s soccer team from Afghanistan achieved an “important victory” this Tuesday by entering a group of more than 75 people evacuated in a flight from Kabul.
The international footballers union FIFPRO thanked the Australian government for making possible the exit of the players, of team members and family members, as work continues to help more people leave the country.
“These young women, both as athletes and activists, have been in a dangerous position and on behalf of their colleagues around the world We thank the international community for coming to their aid“the union said in a statement.
The Afghan team was created in 2007 in a country where women playing sports was seen as a political act of defiance against the Taliban.
This month the players to erase their posts and photos with the team on social media to avoid retaliation after the fall of the government backed by the United States and the international community.
“The last few days have been very stressful, but today we have achieved an important victory,” said the former team captain, Khalida popal.
Popal is part of the team of lawyers and advisers of FIFPRO who have worked with authorities in six countries, including Australia, United States and Great Britain, for athletes and their families to enter lists and evacuation flights to safe places.
“Women footballers have been brave and strong in a time of crisis and we hope they have a better life outside Afghanistan“he added Popal.
According to the secretary general of FIFPROJonas Baer-Hoffmann, evacuations have been “an incredibly complex process.”
“Our hearts go out to everyone else who remains stranded in the country against their will,” he said.