Afghanistan women’s refugee players refused visas for first tournament in UAE

• Players went to airports but told not to travel

• Many said to have felt retraumatised by experience

The United Arab Emirates rejected visa applications for members of the Afghanistan women’s refugee squad who were due to travel there for the team’s first matches. Players went to airports, but were told not to board flights and many are said to have felt retraumatised by the experience.

Afghanistan had been due to play in the UAE against the hosts, Chad and Libya in the Fifa Unites: Women’s Series, with games running from Thursday to Wednesday. The 23 players selected via talent identification camps for the team, Afghan Women United, were due to fly to Dubai on 11 October for a training camp.