Five Afghan soccer officials have been suspended in the wake after reports of sexual abuse serviced last week. The suspensions, reported by The New York Times, included the president of the Afghan Football Federation (AFF) Keramuddin Keram. The other four, per the Times, are Yosuf Kargar (deputy president), Sayed Ali Reza Aghazada (general secretary). Abdul Saboor Wlizada (goalkeeper coach), and Nadir Alimi (liaison official).
Last week The Guardian published a report in which former player Khailda Popal alleged sexual, mental, and physical abuse by several men up to and including the president. Afghanistan’s president Ashraf Ghani quickly ordered a thorough investigation and the suspensions were designed to prevent any holdups with the investigation process.
In other Afghan news several players are being kept away from the national team for refusal to sign a contract they believe hinders their basic rights as players.
