I sent a letter co-signed by other members of the Congressional Soccer Caucus to FIFA President Gianni Infantino urging official recognition of the Afghanistan Women’s Football Team (AWT). After the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 2021, the team’s players were forced to flee the nation.
In our letter, we wrote: “We ask that you allow the AWT to represent every woman and girl trapped under Taliban rule. Allow them to play for their country without returning to the brutality of Taliban rule in Afghanistan. Allow freedom and opportunity to prevail in the sport, one that represents so much to those around the world. The women of the AWT are in a unique situation, and we hope one day they can return to their homeland to play the sport without restrictions. Until then, they should be afforded the opportunity to represent their country away from home.”
Read the full letter here. |