Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Afghanistan, has urged FIFA to allow Afghan women footballers in exile to resume international competition, condemning the Taliban’s systematic gender discrimination.

In a Wednesday post on X, Bennett expressed solidarity with the athletes.

“I support the call by the Sport & Rights Alliance for FIFA to take a strong stand against systematic gender oppression and ensure that Afghan women footballers in exile, who are barred from playing in Afghanistan, can return to international competition,” he wrote.

The Sport & Rights Alliance had previously echoed this demand on X, pressing FIFA to address the discrimination that prevents exiled Afghan women footballers from participating. Human Rights Watch and other organisations have similarly urged FIFA and the alliance to facilitate their return to competitive matches.

In a recent letter, FIFA reaffirmed its commitment to monitoring the situation of women’s football in Afghanistan. The organisation stressed that supporting women’s football remains a priority and that it is exploring practical, sustainable ways to improve Afghan women and girls’ access to the sport.