More than 77,000 people from around the world are standing in solidarity with Afghanistan’s national women’s soccer team and calling on FIFA to recognise the exiled team.
A coalition of voices from the Afghan diaspora launched a petition on Change.org on July 26, which, in just two weeks, has garnered significant international support.
The petition, calling for the international soccer federation FIFA to recognise the exiled Afghanistan women’s soccer team, now has a little over 77,000 signatures from Australia, Japan, France, the UK, Canada, Spain and the US.
The Afghanistan women’s soccer team were forced to flee their home country when the Taliban took control in August 2021.
Since then, for the last two years, the team has resided in exile in Melbourne, Australia. However, FIFA has blocked their right to play and participate at the same level as international teams who are currently competing in the World Cup.
Khaleda Popal, the ex-captain and director of the Afghanistan national women’s football team, said it’s time for FIFA to overturn the ruling.
“The support of 70,000 people has been overwhelming,” she said.
“Football has provided us with the platform to be the voice for our voiceless sisters who lost their fundamental human rights in Afghanistan.
“With the backing of supporters from Europe, the US, Japan and Canada, why can’t Afghan players in these countries’ diaspora represent Afghanistan at international games? Our voices should matter.”
A number of international allies have stood up with the Afghanistan women’s soccer team against FIFA’s lack of recognition towards them, including Australian ex-Socceroo and human rights activist Craig Foster.
“The voices of 70,000 people cannot be ignored by FIFA,” he said.
“70,000 people believe it’s unacceptable that while our Matildas can dream of winning a World Cup, Afghan women and girls are prohibited from even kicking a ball.
“The global community is watching and waiting for action.”
Afghanistan’s ambassador to Australia Wahidullah Waissi has congratulated the efforts of the organisers of the petition and thanked those who have stood in solidarity with the national women’s soccer team.
“I see impressive accomplishments so far,” he said.
“A heartfelt appreciation for everyone’s contributions to making them a reality. Numerous endeavours are unfolding behind the scenes, and I eagerly anticipate collaborating on further tangible advancements.”
The Taliban takeover
After the takeover in August 2021, the Taliban enforced strict laws and regulations that significantly impacted women in the country.
Among banning women from accessing education, blocking them from public participation and imposing severe dress codes and curfews, the Taliban outlawed women from playing sport.
In an interview with the Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) over the ban on the women’s cricket team, the deputy head of the Taliban’s cultural commission Ahmadullah Wasiq said women’s sport was considered inappropriate and not necessary.
“I don’t think women will be allowed to play cricket because it is not necessary that women should play cricket,” Wasiq said.
“In cricket, they might face a situation where their face and body will not be covered. Islam does not allow women to be seen like this.
“Islam and the Islamic Emirate [Afghanistan] do not allow women to play cricket or play the kind of sports where they get exposed.”