UK supports Malala’s plea urging FIFA to back Afghan Football team

London: Malala Yousafzai, along with over 100 UK lawmakers, has called on Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) to officially recognize the exiled Afghan women’s football team.

In a Twitter post, Malala emphasized the significance of the Afghan women's national football team, stating, "As the Taliban erases women from all public life, the Afghan women's football team remains a symbol of courage and resistance for their country."

Together with Khalida Popal, founder of the Afghanistan women's national team, Malala and more than 100 parliamentarians from the UK, Australia, Portugal, and Italy have penned a letter to FIFA, urging the organization to advocate against restrictions and grant Afghan women the freedom to play football.

The Guardian reported that the letter, backed by over 100 parliamentarians, was addressed to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, reiterating a call made by Malala and Popal earlier this year.

The letter, co-written by Malala, Popal, and Julie Elliott, MP for Sunderland Central, has garnered support from 76 members of the UK parliament, as well as parliamentarians from Australia, Portugal, and Italy.

As the Taliban erases women from all public life, the Afghan women’s football team remains a symbol of courage and resistance for their country.

That is why I joined @khalida_popal and 100+ parliamentarians from the UK, Australia, Portugal and Italy to send a letter to FIFA…

— Malala Yousafzai (@Malala) June 21, 2023