FIFA bans Afghan official in fallout of sexual abuse scandal

ZURICH (AP) — FIFA says a soccer official from Afghanistan has been banned for five years after failing to report allegations that female players were sexually abused.

Sayed Aghazada will be removed from the Asian Football Confederation’s executive committee just months after he was elected.

FIFA says Aghazada “was aware of this abuse and had the duty to report and prevent it.”

Afghanistan women’s national team players had accused federation officials of sexual abuse and cover-ups for several years.

FIFA banned long-time Afghan soccer president Keramuudin Karim for life in June after he was accused by several players of “repeated sexual abuse.”