Accused of demanding "10,000 USD/place in the national team", the president of the Afghanistan Football Federation speaks out

(NLDO) - The President of the Afghanistan Football Federation was recently accused of demanding a bribe of 10,000 USD (more than 260 million VND) for a place in the country's national team.

According to The Guardian, Afghanistan Football Federation (AFF) president Mohammad Yousef Kargar is accused of demanding a $10,000 bribe to “buy a spot” for each player in the national team. Recently leaked audio recordings show him discussing how to transfer money to the brother of Nesar Ahmad Mohmand, a player playing in the Australian Second Division, for a place in the Afghanistan national team in Thailand.

After being noticed at a tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Mohmand was invited by Kargar to join the national team.

In recordings aired on Afghanistan International TV , Kargar said: "Okay, no problem. I said $10,000, you said $5,000. So add another $1,500 because we need it for the visa. In Thailand I can't help."

Mohammad Yousef Kargar and Nesar Ahmad Mohmand pose together in Australia (Photo: Mohammad Yousef Kargar)

"As soon as the money comes, I will inform the coach, then he can arrange it" - Another quote from the AFF President.

Mr. Kargar also admitted that the voice in the recording was his. Kargar asserted that this was just a sponsorship negotiation and denied all allegations. He said that "these recordings are just a conspiracy, a fabrication."

Even President Kargar said he “never met the player” despite the two having a photo taken together at the tournament in Melbourne. Several other inconsistencies in his explanation were also pointed out, including his request for payment via a money transfer service instead of the AFF bank account. This raised serious doubts about the transparency and legitimacy of the process.

The incident shocked Afghan football, especially when the AFF was accused of delaying staff salaries for many years. Kargar is also no stranger to corruption allegations, having been suspected of fixing the results of two matches in Malaysia in 2008, but denied it.

FIFA has not yet confirmed whether it is opening an investigation into Mr. Kargar, while his presidential term has just been extended until January 2026.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/bi-to-doi-10000-usd-suat-vao-tuyen-quoc-gia-chu-tich-ldbd-afghanistan-len-tieng-196250924111036799.htm