Former Afghan Women Footballer Urges Players To Remove Public Identity And Burn Jerseys To Avoid Taliban Repressive Actions

JAKARTA - Khalida Popal urged Afghan women's soccer players to delete social media accounts, remove public identities and burn their equipment for safety.

The action was taken following the status of Afghanistan back under the rule of the Taliban.

In a video interview with Reuters on Wednesday, August 18, the former captain of the Copenhagen-based Afghan women's soccer team said militants had killed, raped and stoned women in the past.

And female footballers are afraid of what the future might hold.

The co-founder of the Afghan women's soccer league says she always uses her voice to encourage young women to stand up, be brave, come out. But, now he had a different message.

"Today I called them and told them, recorded their names, erased their identities, deleted their photos for their safety. Even I told them to burn or get rid of their national team uniforms," he said.

“And it hurts for me, for someone as an activist who stands up and does everything possible to achieve and earn that identity as a women's national team player.

"To have that badge on the chest, to have the right to play and represent our country, how proud we are."

During the 1996-2001 government, which they admit was guided by Islamic law, the Taliban banned women from working.

Meanwhile, young women are not allowed to go to school and they must wear the burka when traveling outside the home, and only if accompanied by a male relative.

Those who break the rules often suffer humiliation and public beatings by the Taliban's religious police.

The Taliban said they would respect women's rights within the framework of Islamic law.

As Popal said, football has allowed women to take a strong stand for their rights, and to stand up to those they want to silence.

"They are very afraid. They are worried, they are afraid, not only the players, but also the activists ... they have no one, seek shelter, ask for help if they are in danger," he said of the current situation.

“They are afraid that there will be a knock on the door.

"What we are seeing is a country collapsing," he added. "All the pride, joy of being there to empower women and men in this country is such a waste."

A FIFA spokesman said world football's governing body was concerned and sympathized with all those affected by this situation.

"We are in contact with the Afghan Football Federation, and other stakeholders, and will continue to monitor the local situation and offer our support in the coming weeks and months," FIFA said.