The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) on Monday said the allegations of sexual and physical abuse against women members of Afghanistan Football Federation (AFF) are under investigation by the authority.
The AGO spokesman Jamshid Rasuli said that as part of their proceedings on the case, so far five AFF officials have been banned from traveling and have been suspended.
The allegations were made by some members of the women’s national football team against Keramuddin Karim, head of the Afghan Football Federation and other members of the federation. The Guardian was first to report about this when the women’s football team were in Tajikistan in November.
Twenty-five people, including some women football players have been investigated in connection with the case, Rasuli said, adding that some of them are living outside the country.
“Our colleagues continue their efforts to collect all required documents and evidences (for the case),” said Rasuli.
Khalida Popal, former captain of women’s national football team, meanwhile said a number of Afghan women players have shared their stories with her about “sexual abuses” by the AAF chairman and trainers against them.
“The girls who have come from Afghanistan, have told me about ‘rape and sexual abuse’ by trainers and head of the AFF,” Popal told TOLOnews.
Some lawmakers meanwhile said justice should be secured for the case.
“This issue is a matter of dignity for the people and especially for the families of the woman football players,” said Sayed Mohammad Daud Sadat Nasiri, an MP.
Keramuddin Karim, the Football Federation President, had rejected the allegations when he talked to TOLOnews earlier this month.
The AGO announced a list on Friday which includes the AFF members who have been suspended and are banned from traveling.
The list includes following individuals:
• Keramuddin Karim, head of Afghanistan Football Federation
• Nader Alemi, head of goalkeepers’ committee
• Sayed Ali Reza Aqazada, secretary general of the federation
• Abdul Saboor Walizada, head of provinces relations
• Rustam, an employee of the federation