The United Arab Emirates rejected visa applications for members of the Afghanistan women’s refugee squad who were due to travel there for the team’s first matches. Players went to airports, but were told not to board flights and many are said to have felt retraumatised by the experience.
Afghanistan had been due to play in the UAE against Chad and Libya in the Fifa Unites: Women’s Serieswith games running from Thursday to Wednesday. The 23 players selected via talent identification camps for the team, Afghan Women United, were due to fly to Dubai on 11 October for a training camp.
The players, located in Australia, the UK, Portugal and Italy, were advised by Fifa to go to their airports despite their visas not having been obtained. They were then told by world football’s governing body they could not board flights.
Players, many of whom fled Afghanistan in extremely dangerously situations via Kabul airport as the final western military flights prepared to leave after the withdrawal of US and other troops in 2021, had been in a state of uncertainty, encouraged to remain ready to travel at a moment’s notice. It is understood Fifa remained in contact with the players during this time.
Fifa announced on Monday that it was relocating the competition to Morocco, with the first match – involving Afghanistan – moved to Sunday. Responsibility for visa applications for travelling teams lies with the host federation and it is understood Fifa sought assurances on visas before it announced on 24 September that the UAE would host the tournament.
Many players have felt triggered and retraumatised by the insecurity of the situation and parallels with their evacuation. It is understood they feel mentally and physically drained and are concerned they are expected to play their first match so soon after arriving in Morocco. They flew on Wednesday, with the Australia-based players facing more than 30 hours of travel, and feel let down by the organisation around the team and tournament
Fifa said: “We acknowledge that the circumstances, which are due to factors outside of Fifa’s control, may have been difficult and had an impact on some players and staff. As has been the case throughout this project so far, the welfare and wellbeing of all players and staff has, and continues to be, the paramount priority to Fifa.
“We are continuing to work on a daily basis, together with the players and staff, to ensure they are fully supported on and off the pitch through tailored safeguarding and wellbeing services that are being offered to the team.”
The UAE Football Association did not respond to requests for comment. The UAE has a de facto working relationship with the Taliban government in Afghanistan.
Regarding the switch to Morocco, Fifa said: “This change of venue follows last-minute unforeseen challenges experienced that impacted travel arrangements of participating teams. The decision to move the series has been taken to ensure all teams are able to participate in a safe, inclusive and competitive environment, aligned with the values of the tournament and the pioneering and wide-ranging Fifa strategy for action for Afghan women’s football.”
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Fifa founded and committed support to the refugee team in response to persistent pressure from exiled members of the Afghanistan women’s national team and youth teams for the right to play international football after the Taliban’s return to power.
Fifa said it had provided “continuous comprehensive care and support to the players, both on and off the pitch” since the launch of the refugee team. “This includes a dedicated safeguarding team who have actively supported the group throughout the project, as well as physical preparation and nutrition, all delivered by highly credentialed qualified professionals in their respective fields,” it said. “The players have had ongoing access to the team’s sports psychologist, as well as a fellow Afghan refugee with lived experience, including as a resettlement coach.”
Fifa also pointed to additional measures it made available. “These included two group sessions led by a highly experienced trauma-informed psychologist to assist players process the situation and strengthen their coping strategies. A separate session was also conducted with team staff to enhance their understanding of trauma-informed approaches and ensure they were equipped with the right tools and language to support the players effectively.”
