The International Football Association “FIFA” expressed its “grave concern” over the recent images that spread through social media platforms of the Democratic Republic of the Congo women’s national under-20 team.
The World Players Association published video clips showing the team training in the street before a qualifying match for the U-20 World Cup, CNN reported.
The FIFPro account on Twitter said that the video, which was published on Thursday, shows the team practicing on a dirt road with cars and motorbikes passing, and at one point, the training was interrupted as a truck was passing on the road between the players.
This is unacceptable. pic.twitter.com/x86nhj32H8
— FIFPRO (@FIFPRO) October 14, 2021
“The player’s welfare is a top priority for us, and we have taken immediate steps with the authorities in the country, including the Congolese Football Federation, to ensure the safety and well-being of all participating players,” FIFA said in a statement.
While “Fivebro” said that the Democratic Republic of the Congo Football Association did not reserve enough time to train on the field before the team’s expected match, which will decide qualification for the 2022 World Cup, against Cameroon on September 25, which the Congolese team lost 4-0 at home.