The president of the Afghanistan Football Federation (AFF), Mohammad Yousef Kargar, is facing accusations of soliciting a $10,000 bribe to guarantee a player's spot on the national team. The allegations stem from leaked recordings in which Kargar discusses payment arrangements with the brother of Nesar Ahmad Mehman, a player vying for a place in the team's training camp in Thailand.
Mehman, who plays in the second tier of Australian football, had been scouted at a tournament in Melbourne organized by the Afghan diaspora in late 2024. Following this, Kargar extended an invitation to Mehman to join the national team's training camp in March, even sending an official invitation to his club, Stockton Sharks.
However, the situation took a turn when Afghanistan International TV, a London-based media outlet banned by the Taliban, aired recordings that allegedly captured Kargar requesting a $10,000 payment to be deposited into the account of one of his associates. In the recordings, Kargar purportedly outlines how the payment would ensure Mehman's selection. He is allegedly heard saying, "Once it arrives on Saturday, I will inform the coach, and then he can proceed with the arrangements," and "We will say that $10,000 was donated to the national team,". Furthermore, Kargar allegedly suggests that while inclusion in the immediate match against Myanmar might not be possible, Mehman would be registered early for the game against Syria in June to secure his place in the lineup. Another recording appears to capture Kargar agreeing to a reduced fee to cover visa expenses for the Thailand trip.
Kargar, who has been the president of the AFF since 2019, has refuted the accusations, dismissing the recordings as "nothing but conspiracies and fabrications".
These allegations are the latest in a string of corruption claims that have plagued the Afghanistan Football Federation. In late October 2023, several Afghan national football team players resigned, citing financial corruption within the federation. The players alleged that the AFF was running a scheme, using the national team as a business to pocket money through various means. Specific grievances included the misappropriation of funds from round-trip ticket fares for national team players and the division of a $30,000 gift from Saudi Arabia, intended for the players, among federation members. Former national team captain Farshad Noor also accused Kargar of stealing money during both good and bad times, stating that he would only resume playing for the team if Kargar and his associates stepped down.
In early November 2023, at least 18 players boycotted a World Cup qualifying match against Qatar, citing mistreatment by the federation and alleging that financial aid from FIFA and the AFC was not being used correctly. Players reported substandard accommodations and travel arrangements, further fueling their discontent. Former captain Faysal Shayesteh urged FIFA to investigate the federation, claiming that funds were being diverted into the pockets of a corrupt group.
These incidents have led to widespread demoralization within Afghan football. Concerns have also been raised about the AFF's compliance with the Taliban's policies, particularly the ban on women's football. FIFA has faced criticism for tolerating the AFF's stance, although it has taken steps to recognize the exiled Afghan women's team.
FIFA has been monitoring the situation closely and remains in contact with the AFF and other stakeholders. However, banking restrictions and the political situation under the Taliban have hampered FIFA's ability to provide full funding through its FIFA Forward program since 2023, exacerbating the financial difficulties and hindering transparency within the federation.
