Afghanistan women's refugee players refused visas for first tournament in UAE

"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."

The United Arab Emirates rejected visa applications for members of the Afghanistan women's refugee squad who were due to travel for the team's first matches. Players travelled to airports after being advised by Fifa to be ready despite visas not yet granted, and were then told they could not board flights. Many players, who fled Afghanistan during the 2021 evacuation, felt retraumatised and triggered by the uncertainty and parallels with their past evacuation. Fifa relocated the competition to Morocco and the team flew there, with players reporting long travel, exhaustion and feeling let down by the organisation around the tournament.

Read at www.theguardian.com