FIGC opens doors to Afghanistan football refugees

FIGC President Gabriele Gravina announces Italy are ready to host Afghan refugees who are persecuted just for ‘wanting to play the most beautiful sport in the world.’

The Taliban took just days to take hold of Afghanistan after American troops pulled out and it was warned today not all of those who are eligible for refugee status will be able to flee the country before the August 31 deadline.

The world of sport is shaken by the news the Afghanistan women’s team are being hunted down, while one of the young men who fell to his death clinging to a departing airplane in Kabul was 19-year-old Zaki Anwari, who had played for Afghanistan’s national youth team.

Now Federation President Gravina has written an open letter in Tuttosport assuring the FIGC is ready to use its facilities to host refugees being persecuted for their love of football.

“I wish to confirm the FIGC is ready to step in, offering to host men and women players who should seek refuge in our country at the Coverciano training ground.

“In the football world too, we are shaken and worried at the deepening crisis in Afghanistan, but the frustration at the manifest impotence of the first few days must make way for the determined resilience to intervene and help at least those in the most grave circumstances.

“FIFA linked with FifPro and the Federations interested in this project, and we in Italy are ready to give our contribution, even if we can only do what is allowed by the Italian Government.

“In every part of the planet, no matter what credo or state you recognise, nobody should be banned from kicking a football. Nobody can be deprived of the dream of becoming a football player.”