The international football world has taken action for Afghan women's soccer players whose lives have been threatened by the rise of the Taliban, an Islamic militant group.
The AP and other major foreign media reported that FIFA has sent letters to various governments requesting that female soccer players escape from Afghanistan.
The International Football Players Association (FIFpro), an organization that protects the rights of football players, is also asking countries for help in line with FIFA.
"FIFpro is working with the government to develop an escape plan," FIFpro said in a statement.
The Afghan women's soccer team, founded in 2007, has been a symbol of women's freedom in the country.
As the oppressive Taliban retakes Afghanistan, female soccer players are forced to live in hiding for fear of reprisal.
Popal told the BBC: "I got a message from a local Afghan player that the Taliban will kill us because we don't want women to play football."
"The situation in Afghanistan is very unstable and worrisome," a FIFA spokesperson said.
(Photo=AFP, Yonhap News)