Afghan refugee team beats the parliamentary women’s soccer team

An Afghan team of girls and women who fled the Taliban and arrived in the UK last November has today won a match against the UK Women’s Parliamentary team.

The game, backed by Amnesty International, celebrated the contribution refugees make to football and highlighted women’s rights issues in Afghanistan.  It was played at Dulwich Hamlet FC.

The Afghan team played to victory against a cross-party group of MPs including Tracey Crouch, Kim Leadbeater and Alison McGovern.

Commenting on the match Tracey Crouch, the women’s parliamentary team captain, said on Twitter, “It  was such a humbling experience to play this morning an amazing group of young Afghan football playing women, rescued from the Taliban”, adding, “ We were thrashed but who cares – at least we are allowed to play!”.

Khalida Popal, Afghanistan Football Development Squad’s Team Director, said: “The team is a long way from home, but the cheering atmosphere today was what they needed. The players showed off their skills and played passionately. After a tumultuous journey to reach safety, there are still many obstacles they face. Football has a powerful way of bringing people together and is a crucial part of the team rebuilding their lives in the UK.”