The former head of Afghanistan’s soccer federation on July 14 lost his appeal against a life ban for sexually abusing players from the women’s national team.
In June 2019, soccer's global governing body, FIFA, banned the Afghanistan Football Federation's former president, Keramuddin Karim, for life and fined him about $1 million -- the most severe sanction possible available under the FIFA Code of Ethics.
In its judgement upholding FIFA’s verdict, the Court of Arbitration for Sport's panel said that Karim "violated basic human rights and damaged the mental and physical dignity and integrity of young female players."
"With his appalling acts, he had destroyed not only their careers, but severely damaged their lives," it added.
FIFA welcomed the Lausanne-based court’s decision, saying in a statement that it confirms the importance of its "zero tolerance policy against physical, mental and sexual abuses at all levels of football."
The organization also praised "the bravery of those victims who, under dreadful personal circumstances in their home country, have come forward and allowed for justice to be served."
The investigation by FIFA found that Karim had "abused his position and sexually abused various female players."
At least five Afghan players had accused him of repeated sexual abuse in 2013-2018.
Life Ban Upheld For Former Chief Of Afghan Soccer Federation
- By RFE/RL
Related
Editors' Picks
Afghanistan/Pakistan Trending
1
Four Years On, UN Says Taliban Close To 'Erasing' Afghan Women From Public Life
2After Key Report On Afghanistan, State Department Says Taliban Was Keeping Aid
3Kabul's Quiet Resistance: Young Afghans Navigate Life Under The Taliban
4World Food Program Warns Of 'Unprecedented' Hunger Crisis In Afghanistan
5Bad Move: Taliban's Chess Ban Adds To Crackdown On Sports And Pastimes
6China Dangles Belt And Road Investment To Mend Taliban-Pakistan Ties
7Russia Boosts The Taliban's Quest For Legitimacy. Who Will Be Next?
8Taliban Restrictions Blamed For Surge In Suicides Among Afghans
9Death Toll Rises As Heavy Rains Devastate Northwestern Pakistan
10Pakistan Hit By More Fatal Flooding As Recovery Crews Look For Dead
RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.
If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.
To find out more, click here.