A large number of Afghanistan’s women footballers and athletes, officials, and their families evacuated on a flight from Kabul, Afghanistan.
More than 75 people associated with the Afghanistan Women’s national football team were evacuated — including players, officials and their family — have managed to escape from the Taliban to seek refuge in Australia.
Global football players’ union FIFPRO thanked the Australian government for making the evacuation of players, team officials and family members possible, with work continuing to help more leave Afghanistan.
“These young women, both as athletes and activists, have been in a position of danger, and on behalf of their peers around the world we thank the international community for coming to their aid,” FIFPRO said in a statement.
“The last few days have been extremely stressful but today we have achieved an important victory, said Khalida Popal, former Afghanistan national team captain.
“The women footballers have been brave and strong in a moment of crisis and we hope they will have a better life outside Afghanistan. But there is still much more work to do. Women’s football is a family and we must make sure everyone is safe,” she added.
Popal is among a team of FIFPRO lawyers and advisors who have worked with authorities in six countries, including Australia, the US and United Kingdom, to get athletes and their families on to evacuation lists and flights to safety.
Jonas Baer-Hoffmann, FIFPRO General Secretary, said: “We are relieved that this group of footballers and athletes have been able to leave Afghanistan today. It has been an incredibly complex process for everyone involved to secure their evacuation. Our hearts go out to all the others who remain stranded in the country against their will.”
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