KABUL • Representing Afghanistan internationally should have been the highlight of Khalida Popal's career as a professional footballer, but life in the strife-torn country is never that simple.
It has been seven years since she was forced to leave her family and her homeland, terrified for her life and personal safety, after pioneering women's football in a country that has been described as one of the most dangerous places to be female.
She has paid a high price for becoming the face of the Afghanistan women's football team, with death threats forcing her to spend a year in an asylum centre before being granted permission to live in Denmark in 2012.
But Popal remains a local girl at heart, and despite having since suffered a career-ending knee injury, she has continued to organise training sessions for the team in other countries including Jordan, Japan and the United Arab Emirates.
These camps have brought together players from inside and outside Afghanistan, and the bonds forged have compelled Popal to speak out about the ordeal of Afghan women players and her frustrations with a system that has failed to protect them.
Last Sunday, the country's attorney general suspended Keramuddin Keram, the head of the Afghan Football Federation (AFF), and four others after a probe into allegations of sexual abuse of members of the women's national football team.
According to the attorney general's office, they are:
• The AFF's deputy president, Yosuf Kargar
• Its general secretary, Sayed Alireza Aghazada
• A coach in charge of goalkeepers, Abdul Saboor Walizada
• An official in charge of liaison with provincial football teams, Nadir Alimi
While the investigation is still ongoing, Fifa has provisionally banned Keram from all football-related activities for 90 days "pending proceedings".
His name brings back harrowing memories for Popal. In a telephone interview with the New York Times, she claimed "the president of AFF and some trainers are raping and sexually harassing female players".
The 31-year-old also revealed to The Guardian the purported transgressions were as recent as February, when the players flew to Jordan from Afghanistan while being accompanied by two men.
"They (the AFF) sent two male representatives, going under the title of 'head of women's football' and 'assistant coach'," she said.
"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.
"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 (S$173) a month if they would say yes to everything.
"They were pushing and forcing the girls. Coercing them."
When the players threatened to complain, Keram, who wields considerable political influence as a former governor of Panjshir Province, allegedly beat one of them with a snooker cue, and threw her and eight other women off the team, labelling them "lesbians".
After learning that the nine players had been sidelined, she went on to do her own investigation, only to find out the "huge extent of the abuse".
Popal added: "He (Keram) has a room inside his office that is a bedroom with a bed. The doors of his office (have) fingerprint recognition, so when players go in, they can't get out without his fingerprint.
"I found some of the girls were sexually abused, and physically abused if they said no. The federation would make an excuse to get rid of the player so that if they came out (and spoke publicly), it would look like they were just upset about being kicked off the team."
American Kelly Lindsey, the former national coach, corroborated Popal's account, saying the two male officials that were involved in the Jordan case had been "promoted and moved to other areas in the AFF".
The federation has, however, denied the allegations, calling them "groundless", while insisting it had "a zero-tolerance policy towards any type of such behaviour".
NYTIMES, REUTERS, THE GUARDIAN
Spurs to trigger Alderweireld contract extension, says Pochettino (Reuters) - Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino said the club will activate a one-year extension in defender Toby Alderweireld's contract to keep him at the club until 2020.
Tottenham to trigger Alderweireld contract extension
The AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011 brought with it not only football but also lots of great entertainment. Hot music sensation Karl Wolf, along with Jay Sean and Erika David, tore up the stage the night
West Ham's Michail Antonio speaking to Sky Sports: It is beautiful. We came here and put ourselves in history and it is only right West Ham did it. They are a big rival for us, it goes way back so
Tottenham vs West Ham: Michail Antonio scores winner as Spurs
Crystal Palace vs Chelsea: Player Ratings as Kante strike scrapes three points The home side weren't far away from edging a point for themselves N'Golo Kante celebrates after netting the game
Crystal Palace 0-1 Chelsea: N'Golo Kante's goal sees off poor
Home » News » Sports » £100m too cheap, but hard to keep hold of Hazard, admits Sarri £100m too cheap, but hard to keep hold of Hazard, admits Sarri On April 9, 2019 7:18 am In Sports by
It will be hard to keep Hazard: Sarri - nation.com.pk
Tottenham Hotspur gained sweet revenge over north London rivals Arsenal as goals in each half by Son Heung-min and Dele Alli earned them a 2-0 win on Wednesday and a League Cup semi-final place.
Spurs take revenge on Arsenal to reach League Cup semis
Almoez Ali brushed off a row about his eligibility to scoop an Asian Cup winner's medal and smash a 23-year-old scoring record on Friday, confirming that Qatar have a potential star in the making
Qatari goal machine Ali targets Europe move before 2022 World Cup
Wes Brown recognises Ferguson fingerprints at Manchester United under Solskjaer Since replacing Jose Mourinho in December in a caretaker role, Solskjaer has put forward a near-perfect case to take
Former Manchester United stalwarts Dwight Yorke and Wes Brown
chennaiyinfc.com/former-manchester-united-stalwarts-dwight-yorke-and-wes-brown-meet-chennaiyin-fc-stars/
Former Manchester United striker Dwight Yorke was a special guest at the Indian Super League encounter between reigning champions Chennaiyin FC and Delhi Dynamos FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Saturday evening.
ISL 2017: Former Manchester United defender Wes Brown signs
Moving to Norway is a desire that many people share. This post shows how to move to Norway and 30 things to know before starting your new life in Norway.The post will also give details on the various Norwegian visas that are available and how to apply for them as a citizen of various countries.
Norway - Wikipedia
A welcome could either cheer them up or make them leave the event and rather have cozy sleep at home. Martin Luther King, in 1943, delivered a speech "I have a dream" and that still doesn't fail to inspire people. Short Welcome Speech Samples To Address any Event. Image Source
How to Write a Welcome Aboard Letter With Examples
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - David Beckham called his former team LA Galaxy his "family" and thanked Los Angeles for embracing him at the unveiling of his statue before the Major League Soccer club's season-opener on Saturday. The statue, a first for an MLS player, honors the former England captain who
Beckham salutes LA Galaxy and Los Angeles as statue unveiled
Win over Watford more like draw: Ole LONDON • While Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was able to mark his first game as Manchester United's full-time manager with a victory, he was far from impressed by the "slow and sloppy" performance by his players.
"It was more like a draw" | Ole after Watford Match - YouTube
LONDON (AFP) - Pep Guardiola claimed he still doesn't believe Manchester City can win the quadruple after his side reached the FA Cup final with a 1-0 win over Brighton on Saturday (April 6)..
Pep Guardiola coy over quadruple bid after Manchester City
Jermaine Jenas believes that Hugo Lloris should lose his place in the Tottenham team after his mistake cost his side two points against Liverpool on Sunday. The Spurs captain spilled a late
Liverpool 2-1 Tottenham: Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris should
hollywoodadviser.com/liverpool-2-1-tottenham-spurs-goalkeeper-hugo-lloris-should-be-dropped-and-replaced-by-paulo-gazzaniga-says-jermaine-jenas/
Hu-gone Lloris made the latest in a long line of mistakes on Sunday as he gifted Liverpool a late, late win over Spurs Hugo Lloris' latest mistake cost Tottenham a point at Liverpool, and Jermaine Jenas says it's now time for the goalkeeper to be dropped by Mauricio Pochettino.
Jenas suggests Spurs man should be dropped vs Crystal Palace
Hugo Lloris believes that Tottenham Hotspur will face the most in-form team in the Premier League when they go up against Liverpool at Anfield. The North London outfit travel to Merseyside on the
Hugo Lloris fears Tottenham may have to WIN Champions League
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen