Today: 24 August 2025
19 December 2021
2 mins read

Afghan girls team evacuation to UK lands in controversy

The mercy mission has been soured by a bitter war of words, with senior figures in Afghan football claiming that members of the squad were left behind to make way for friends of senior players…reports Asian Lite News

Afghan officials have claimed that real members of the Afghan girls football team were left behind in Kabul to make space for senior players’ friends, Daily Mail reported.

It was reported that the teenagers, the youth development squad, and their families would now enjoy a new life in Britain, partly thanks to US reality TV star Kim Kardashian who had paid for the flight.

The mercy mission has been soured by a bitter war of words, with senior figures in Afghan football claiming that members of the squad were left behind to make way for friends of senior players, the report said.

Much of the criticism has been levelled at former national team captain Khalida Popal, who arranged places on the flight, the report said.

Arezo Rahimi, head of women’s football at the Afghan Football Association, said: “The majority of the people on Popal’s list are not players and their families at all. Most players from the development team are still trapped in Afghanistan – they are living in fear and have no hope of getting out.”

The BBC reported in October that the 35-member squad, aged 13 to 19, had escaped Kabul, and on November 18 they arrived in the UK with their families.

upon arriving in Britain, Popal said that “around 25” players were on board, adding that the definition of a “youth” squad in Afghanistan includes people as old as 23.

However, the list she prepared includes two basketball players and even a 32-year-old footballer, the Daily Mail reported.

Rahimi and three former players have analysed the flight list but could identify only 15 footballers among the 132 people on board.

A separate list produced by Rahimi shows that 28 eligible players, aged between 11 and 18, are still in Afghanistan.

Shamila Kohestani, a former captain of the Afghan women’s national football team, said: “These athletes have risked their lives to play a game they love, and now their lives are at risk again.

“But nobody is helping them, while other people were evacuated who are not football players.”

ALSO READ: UK logs 10,000 cases of Omicron

Previous Story

Pakistani minister survives gun attack in KP

Next Story

OIC pledges trust fund for Afghanistan

Latest from -Top News

‘FAMINE’

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says living situation in Gaza can be described as “famine”…reports Asian Lite News United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that the word “famine” could be used to

Ban Coal Exports to Israel

More than 100 pro-Palestine activists launched protests on Thursday in three major South African cities, calling on the government to ban coal exports to Israel…reports Asian Lite News Pro-Palestine activists are pictured

US sanctions more ICC judges

Washington hits at The Hague with fresh sanctions on four ICC judges and prosecutors, including French and Canadian officials, over probes targeting Israel and US actions abroad….reports Asian Lite News The United

UAE Wows Osaka!

The UAE Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka celebrates its three millionth visitor, blending culture, innovation, and hospitality in an immersive showcase of heritage, sustainability, and forward-looking global vision….reports Asian Lite News The

MBS & Sisi talk ties, Palestine

The two leaders reviewed the historic and strategic relations between Riyadh and Cairo and explored new ways to bolster cooperation…reports Asian Lite News Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister HRH Mohammed bin
Go toTop

Don't Miss

‘Troop exit may undermine Pak leverage’

The report further warns that Islamabad’s failure in persuading the

‘Pak Army trains Taliban’

Recently, videos on social media showed that Taliban were taking