Keramuddin Keram (born 1 January 1962) is an Afghan politician who served as Governor of Panjshir Province from 21 April 2010 until 2 November 2013. Keram served as the President of the Afghanistan Football Federation from 2004 until 2019, when he was banned from football for life by FIFA after being accused of sexual abuse by several players from the Afghanistan women's national football team.[1][2] Keram is currently at large despite an indictment and arrest warrant being issued against him.[3]

Keramuddin Keram
Keramuddin Keram as Governor of Panjshir in July 2011
Governor of Panjshir, Afghanistan
In office
21 April 2010 – 2 November 2013
Preceded byHajji Bahlol
Succeeded byAbdul Rahman Kabiri
Personal details
Born (1962-01-01) 1 January 1962 (age 62)
Panjshir, Afghanistan
OccupationPresident of A.F.F.(2013-2019)

Sexual assault allegations

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In 2018, an investigation was launched when several players of Afghanistan women's national football team alleged that Karim had sexually assaulted, threatened and physically attacked them.[4][5]

On June 8, 2019, FIFA barred Keram, who was president of Afghanistan's soccer association, from the sport for life after reports that he had threatened and sexually assaulted players. He was also fined about USD $1 million.[6] Following this, a warrant was issued for his arrest.[7]

In August 2020, special forces attempted to arrest Keram in Panjshir, but were unsuccessful, with Human Rights Watch reporting that Keram had the protection of a local militia. As of April 2021, he remains at large.[8]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "AFF president | Afghanistan Football Federation Official Website". Archived from the original on March 30, 2015. Retrieved February 27, 2015.
  2. ^ "Ex-Football Chief Yet To Be Detained Despite Arrest Warrant". TOLOnews. Retrieved 2021-04-10.
  3. ^ "World Report 2021: Rights Trends in Afghanistan". Human Rights Watch. 2020-11-23. Retrieved 2021-04-10.
  4. ^ Wrack, Exclusive by Suzanne (27 December 2018). "'There was blood everywhere': the abuse case against the Afghan FA president" – via www.theguardian.com.
  5. ^ Wrack, Suzanne; Wrack, Exclusive by Suzanne (2018-11-30). "Fifa examining claims of sexual and physical abuse on Afghanistan women's team". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2023-02-08.
  6. ^ Panja, Tariq; Nordland, Rod (June 8, 2019). "FIFA Bars Afghan Soccer Chief for Life After Sexual Assault Accusations" – via NYTimes.com.
  7. ^ "Special Forces Attempt Arrest of Ex-AFF President". TOLOnews. Retrieved 2021-04-10.
  8. ^ "World Report 2021: Rights Trends in Afghanistan". Human Rights Watch. Retrieved 2021-04-10.
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Preceded by Governor of Panjshir, Afghanistan
April 21, 2010-November 2, 2013
Succeeded by