An Afghan footballer fears there will be FIFA sanctions for his country after the Taliban recaptured Kabul after 20 years in exile. Taliban insurgents stormed the capital on Sunday with little resistance and have now installed themselves in the presidential palace.
They are in the process of forming a government, with president Ashraf Ghani having fled the country.
The developments come despite the US military being present in Afghanistan for two decades at a reported cost of over one trillion US dollars.
The Taliban’s top political leaders have now arrived back in the country after years in exile in Qatar.
And militants gave their first press conference on Tuesday, insisting they ‘won’t seek revenge’ and that ‘women will be safe.’
But, despite their reassurances, the Afghan footballer admits he is concerned.
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“In reality, what most worries me is the future of my baby girl.
“Right now in my city everything is in order under the control of the Taliban who haven’t put any obstacles in the way of normal life for now.”
The Afghanistan football team currently find themselves at number 153 in the FIFA world rankings. They were ranked as high as 122 in April 2014.
They currently sit fourth in Group E of the AFC section of the World Cup 2022 qualification stages and last played in June, where the side battled to a 1-1 draw against India.