Leading names from women’s and men’s football have joined forces to back a campaign to end abuse, harassment and exploitation of female players, following allegations published by the Guardian last year of serious sexual abuse suffered by members of the women’s national team in Afghanistan.
The Association Football Development Programme (AFDP) Global launched the #FearlessFootball campaign with support from more than 75 figures from within the game.
These include the Afghanistan women’s team’s manager, Kelly Lindsey; the Chelsea women’s manager, Emma Hayes; the former England forward Eni Aluko, who is also a Guardian columnist; several former USA women’s internationals including Heather O’Reilly; the former internationals Jamie Carragher, Robbie Fowler and Robert Pires; and Uefa’s president, Aleksander Ceferin.
They have signed a petition as part of a campaign which urges “anyone who believes that women and girls should be able to express themselves through sport, in freedom and without fear” to follow suit.
Those who have signed the petition include ...
Prince Ali bin al-Hussein of Jordan
Eni Aluko Former England international
Yael Averbuch West Former USA International
Katie Chapman Former England international
Emma Hayes Chelsea Women manager
Kelly Lindsey Afghanistan Women manager
Lori Lindsey Former USA international
Shabnam Mobarez Afghanistan captain
Heather O’Reilly Former USAInternational
Khalida Popal Former Afghanistan international
Rebecca Sauerbrunn USA international
Kelly Smith Former England international
Rachel Yankey Former England international
Jonas Baer-Hoffman Secretary general Fifpro Europe
Jamie Carragher Former England international
Aleksander Ceferin Uefa president
Landon Donovan Former USA international
Mathieu Flamini Former France international
Robbie Fowler Former England international
Gérard Houllier Football manager
Dato Windsor John General secretary AFC
Harry Kewell Former Australia international
Mike Penrose Executive director Unicef UK
Robert Pires Former France international
Louis Saha Former France International
Rob Williams CEO War Child-
The AFDP, launched by Prince Ali bin al-Hussein of Jordan in 2018, is calling on football’s governing bodies to adopt clear safeguarding codes, improve reporting mechanisms and provide appropriate support.
“The lifetime ban and fine issued by Fifa on 8 June 2019 against the president of the Afghanistan Football Federation is a first step,” Prince Ali said. “However, much more needs to be done to address widespread, systemic abuse and harassment in women’s football. Everyone who cares deeply about the integrity and standing of the women’s game needs to work together.
“The era in world football governance which has allowed coaches, staff and officials to misuse their power in the treatment of women and girls must end now. The launch of the #FearlessFootball campaign is a landmark moment for the integrity of the game, as we look forward to a brighter future where every girl and woman can play football in safety and with dignity.”
