FIFA "Cooperating with Governments Worldwide to Evacuate Afghan Football and Athletes"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) announced that it is making efforts to evacuate not only football players but also athletes from other sports in Afghanistan, where the Islamic militant group Taliban has taken power.

In a statement on the 27th, FIFA said, "We are involved in negotiations to evacuate football players and other athletes," adding, "The president and secretary-general are closely monitoring the situation in Kabul and are continuously cooperating with various governments and international organizations to rescue those in danger."

FIFA stated, "We are assisting athletes' evacuation under extremely difficult conditions," and added, "As this is a very delicate operation, we ask for your understanding that no further information can be disclosed."

Earlier, FIFA sent letters to various governments requesting the evacuation of Afghan women football players who were threatened with their lives by the Taliban regime.

Subsequently, the Australian government evacuated about 50 female athletes and their families, including members of the women's national team, via Australian flights.

Meanwhile, a suicide bombing attack by the Islamic State (IS) occurred on the outskirts of Kabul airport the previous day, resulting in hundreds of casualties.

On the 16th, Afghan youth football team player Zaki Anwari fell from a U.S. military transport plane and died.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.