In a landmark gathering at the European Parliament, Mission 89 convened European policymakers, international sports bodies, and trafficking survivors to confront a crisis that affects thousands of young athletes each year: child trafficking in, through, and around sport.

The high-level roundtable, “Sport and Child Trafficking: Policy Responses and Stakeholder Dialogue in the EU Context,” marked a critical turning point in how Europe addresses exploitation schemes that prey on children’s dreams of sporting success. 

Hosted by MEP Hilde Vautmans, Vice-Chair of the Intergroup on Children’s Rights, and organised in partnership with United Through Sports, the event also brought together voices that have historically been absent from policy debates: athletes. The dialogue aimed to translate evidence, lived experience, and political responsibility into concrete, rights-based solutions. 

Professional footballer Katriina Talaslahti spoke candidly about the vulnerabilities young athletes face when competing abroad, including language barriers that isolate them, complex contracts impossible to understand, and visa situations that create fear of speaking out. Young leaders from United Through Sports reinforced these lived experiences, ensuring that policy discussions remained grounded in the reality of those most at risk.

“Every year, thousands of young people chasing their sporting dreams fall victim to trafficking schemes,” said Lerina Bright, Executive Director of Mission 89. “We have the legal frameworks. We have the evidence. What we need now is the political will to implement protections that work, and that means sports federations, governments, and civil society working together, not in silos.”

The EU Policy Perspective:

During a keynote address, the EU’s anti-trafficking coordinator, Diane Schmitt, highlighted both the upcoming challenges and the existing resources available to tackle the issue. She noted that while the revised EU anti-trafficking framework has improved overall data collection, significant evidence gaps in sports still hinder effective, targeted interventions. To succeed, she stressed that any response must be grounded in solid evidence.

Schmitt emphasised that while the revised EU anti-trafficking framework has strengthened overall data collection, evidence gaps specific to sport continue to undermine targeted interventions. “We don’t need new laws,” Schmitt stated. “We need investment in what actually protects children: effective implementation, cross-border cooperation, financial investigations, and holding perpetrators accountable.”

Sports Governance Steps Up

Chaired and moderated by Laurent M.J. De Boeck, institutional perspectives focused on operational prevention and humanitarian engagement, whilst civil society voices looked at victim support and grassroots community-based initiatives.

Marie-Laure Lemineur, Head of Safeguarding and Child Protection at FIFA, outlined the dual responsibility of international sports federations: creating safer, more regulated environments to reduce risk, and establishing robust sanctioning mechanisms when violations occur.

FIFA’s licensed agent system serves as a critical safeguard, complemented by the Ethical Recruitment Guide for Football Agents, a 2024 publication developed in collaboration with Mission 89. Notably, sport carries its own sanctioning power, operating alongside state justice systems, giving the sector unique leverage to hold perpetrators accountable and deter future abuses.

From Dialogue to Action

Participants identified urgent priorities: strengthening data collection, improving victim identification practices, and integrating sport-specific indicators into national referral mechanisms. Critically, all stakeholders agreed that prevention must be transnational and require multi-stakeholder coordination.

The roundtable has initiated a formal stakeholder consultation process to refine the United Declaration, a global framework for combating trafficking in sport, ahead of its international launch.

“Dialogue means nothing without action,” Bright reminded attendees in her closing remarks. “The real test lies in whether today’s commitments translate into sustained, measurable change for vulnerable young athletes.”

Call to Action

Mission 89 calls on:

• Governments to integrate sport-specific trafficking indicators into national referral mechanisms and fund cross-border enforcement.
• Sports federations and clubs to implement robust safeguarding systems, transparent contracts, and athlete support mechanisms.
• Academies and agents to adopt ethical recruitment standards and provide accessible, multilingual information to young athletes.
• The international community should recognise sport-related trafficking as a priority within broader anti-trafficking frameworks.

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At the recent General Assembly of the Alliance of Independent Recognised Members of Sport (AIMS), Julia Govinden, the Chief Executive Officer of United Through Sports, urged the global sports community to unite for a concerted effort to protect children and young athletes from the serious threats of exploitation and trafficking. 

Ms. Govinden also unveiled a strategic partnership between Mission 89 and United Through Sports for “The Line We Don’t Cross”, a global campaign dedicated to eliminating child trafficking connected to sport.

In her address, she underscored the critical importance of establishing safe environments and implementing protective measures that prioritise the welfare of these vulnerable individuals. Her message reinforced the need for collaboration in the sports sector to ensure that the rights and safety of young athletes are vigorously upheld and defended against these alarming challenges.

Central to the campaign is the United Declaration on the Elimination of Child Trafficking in, through and around Sport, which establishes sport’s collective responsibility to uphold human rights and safeguard young athletes.

The campaign aims to secure 300 signatories worldwide, a powerful statement that the sports industry will no longer tolerate exploitation.

Lerina Bright, Executive Director of Mission 89, underscored the urgency of the initiative: “Children account for 38% of identified trafficking victims globally, with 11% lured through false promises. These aren’t just statistics, they represent children whose dreams of athletic success are weaponized into channels for exploitation and abuse. This Declaration represents our collective refusal to allow sport, a $1.4 trillion global industry, continue operating with inadequate safeguarding systems. Every signature is a commitment to action, accountability, and lasting change.”

A comprehensive stakeholder consultation process is now underway, with international sports federations among the first invited to participate. Throughout the remainder of 2025, consultations will expand to include young athletes, intergovernmental organisations, government agencies, agent associations, professional clubs and academies, civil society groups, and corporate sponsors.

Stephan Fox, President of AIMS, emphasised the unique challenges facing the alliance’s 96 member federations: “With only 40 federations currently part of the Olympic program, many of our members face significant resource constraints. Our approach to safeguarding must therefore be both realistic and resolute; we must protect while also giving hope.”

“Policy frameworks cannot remain on paper; they must be enforced with accountability and grounded in the realities our federations face. Mission 89, with UTS support, is taking unprecedented steps to protect young athletes with integrity, dedication, and good governance. It is our shared duty to support this work as we build a safer, more inclusive sporting world,” he stated.

Why Participate?

Participation in this initiative demonstrates leadership and a genuine commitment to safeguarding in sport. It strengthens trust, transparency, and credibility across the sporting ecosystem while unifying the global sports community around a critical humanitarian cause.

Mission 89 and United Through Sports invite all members, partners, and stakeholders to participate in the consultation process and sign the declaration. Together, we can ensure that every athlete, everywhere, can pursue their dreams in safety and dignity.

The line has been drawn. Which side of history will you stand on?

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This initiative, led by Mission 89 ambassador and Al-Ittihad player, Ashleigh Plumptre, aims to mobilise sports organisations, fans, athletes, commercial partners, and other stakeholders to commit to ethical practices and safeguarding young athletes. 

The latest UN Global Report, released on March 12, 2025, reveals a concerning rise in child trafficking, with children now constituting 38% of trafficking victims worldwide. This number is likely much higher, and the report underscores the need for immediate action to curb this alarming trend. Among the most vulnerable to this growing crisis are young athletes. 

The trafficking of young athletes remains a significant global issue, particularly affecting those from vulnerable communities who are often deceived by false promises of opportunities abroad. Sadly, many of these aspiring athletes experience exploitation, forced labour, or abandonment. To combat this problem, Mission 89’s campaign aims to raise awareness, promote the adoption of safeguarding policies, and strengthen mechanisms for athlete protection. 

With #UnitedForSaferSports, Mission 89 seeks to collect pledges from sports organisations and key stakeholders by July 2025, committing to safeguarding young athletes from trafficking and exploitation. A significant focus of the initiative is to raise awareness about the risks involved in sports recruitment, educating athletes, organisations, and the public on these critical issues.  

Ultimately, the initiative strives to strengthen athlete protection by developing robust mechanisms and cultivating a culture of accountability and ethical recruitment in the sports industry. 

Stakeholders are encouraged to sign a pledge to actively combat trafficking in sports over a commitment period of two to three years, with the possibility for renewal. By signing, they agree to incorporate a modern slavery statement into their regulations, raise awareness in their communities through education and public engagement, and utilize the toolkit provided by Mission 89, integrating its resources into their policies and operations. 

 Mission 89 will provide stakeholders with a comprehensive toolkit to support their commitment, including:  

• • Essential resources to educate and engage stakeholders on the issue of sports trafficking. 
  • Infographics and short videos highlighting key statistics and insights. 
  • Informational materials and presentations for educating members on the risks and prevention of sports trafficking. 
  • Safeguarding and Anti-Trafficking Workshops in June/July 2025 for your Safeguarding Officers and designates, including annual webinars for larger organisations to reinforce their commitment. 

 To participate in this initiative, we have outlined a simple three-step process: 

1. Review Campaign Materials: In May, we will provide federations with campaign materials, including social media templates and guidance on selecting a youth ambassador. We will also host an information session during the SportAccord Convention in 2025.
2. Sign the Pledge: Your federation can sign the pledge during the SportAccord Convention or by July 1, 2025, to join our global network of committed organizations. 
3. Campaign Launch: Join us in launching the campaign on World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, July 30, 2025, to raise awareness and promote athlete protection. 

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Mission 89, the global research and advocacy organisation dedicated to combating child trafficking in sports and athlete protection, has announced the appointment of professional footballer and Nigerian international, Ashleigh Plumptre as a global ambassador. This strategic partnership underscores the organisation’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding young athletes and upholding the integrity of football.

Ashleigh Plumptre, renowned for her defensive prowess and dedication to social justice, brings a compelling voice to Mission 89’s initiatives against exploitation in sports. Her extensive experience at the highest levels of professional football, alongside her passionate advocacy for ethical practices, positions her as an exemplary representative for this vital cause.

“Sport Trafficking is a critical issue that demands immediate attention and action from all stakeholders – government, advocates, leaders, professional athletes and policy makers”, stated Lerina Bright, Executive Director of Mission 89. “Ashleigh’s dedication to protecting vulnerable young athletes and her platform as an athlete will be instrumental in amplifying our message and reaching communities at risk.”

The collaboration will focus on several key initiatives, including highlighting the risks of trafficking in sports through targeted campaigns and community outreach; strengthening global alliances to bolster child protection in sports; implementing strategies to safeguard young athletes from exploitation; and informing families, communities and other stakeholders about safe recruitment practices and the dangers of unscrupulous agents.

“As a footballer, I have observed firsthand how aspirations can serve as both a source of hope and a potential vulnerability for young athletes,” remarked Ashleigh. “My experiences in professional sports have taught me that talent alone is insufficient; protection, education, and ethical pathways are vital components. Mission 89 represents more than just an organization to me; it signifies a platform for transforming the narrative surrounding youth in football. We are not merely preventing trafficking; we are reclaiming the true spirit of the game—a spirit characterized by opportunity, dignity, and hope.”

“Football has the potential to transform lives; however, it is imperative that we ensure this transformation is both positive and secure. Joining Mission 89 enables me to contribute to the safeguarding of the dreams of young players who view football as their pathway to a better future,” she added.

This partnership emerges at a pivotal moment as the sports industry confronts escalating challenges in shielding young talent from exploitation. This comes as experts in Mission 89’s recently released Global Thematic Report on Sport Trafficking have also called for stricter legislation and collaborations between government and institutions globally to strengthen protective measures and protection against trafficking in the industry.

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Themed “Expanding the Fight Against Human Trafficking: Prevention of Trafficking in Mega-Sport Events,” the event opened with opening remarks from the Executive Director, Mission 89, Ms. Lerina Bright, Deputy Director General of Operations, IOM, Ugochi Daniels, and Ms. Ewa Naqvi, Chief of Mission, IOM Qatar who spoke all about the evolving landscape of mega-sporting events.

Ms. Ewa Naqvi provided context about the international dimensions of sports trafficking. “Qatar’s position as a global sporting hub gives us both an opportunity and a responsibility,” she noted. “While data shows that major sporting events can become focal points for trafficking networks, these same events can become powerful platforms for prevention and awareness through adequate preparation and partnership. The protocols we’re developing here in Qatar can serve as a model for sporting events worldwide.”

In her address, Ms. Lerina Bright, Executive Director of Mission 89, emphasised that the trafficking of young athletes is a crime against individuals and an assault on the essence and integrity of sports. “As sports fans and anti-trafficking advocates all look ahead to the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, we understand that the trafficking risks we’ve documented are evolving. Through Mission 89’s work, we’ve learned that prevention requires not just vigilance, but a complete reimagining of how we protect young athletes in the global sports ecosystem”.

The event featured a landmark presentation of the new Global Thematic Report on Sport Trafficking by Dr. Monique Emser, providing new insights into the mechanisms of exploitation. The report revealed disturbing trends, including an increase in reported cases of sports-related trafficking over the past five years, complex recruitment networks operating across multiple continents, the exploitation of digital platforms to target vulnerable youth, and the particular vulnerability of athletes from developing nations.

Nasser Al-Khori, the executive director of Generation Amazing Foundation, highlighted how Qatar’s World Cup legacy is being leveraged through sport for development programmes to build resilient communities. “GA was born from Qatar’s World Cup journey, reaching over a billion people across four continents. Now, as a key legacy foundation of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, we’re leveraging our global football for development network to contribute to safeguarding efforts and protecting vulnerable young athletes worldwide. I believe that the State of Qatar has continued to deliver on its promise of legacy by acting as an oasis of dialogue on mega sporting event related research.”

The event, moderated by renowned human rights advocate Professor Parosha Chandran, provided a platform for critical discourse on leveraging international collaboration to address sport-related human trafficking. Reflecting on the broader implications, Professor Chandran remarked, “Mega-sporting events hold immense power to unite people across borders, yet their shadows can harbor exploitation and suffering. We must confront this reality with unwavering resolve. Let today be a turning point—where we not only envision safe spaces in sports but actively create them.”

Mr. Umar Garba Baba, Former INTERPOL Vice President (Africa), shared critical insights into cross-border trafficking operations, while professional footballer Ashleigh Plumptre offered powerful examples of the vulnerabilities young athletes face. “The exploitation often begins with a simple promise,” Plumptre noted. “Our responsibility is to ensure these promises don’t become pathways to trafficking.”

To underscore the country’s commitment to addressing sports trafficking, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Social Welfare, Hon. Melrose Karminty said,  “Sierra Leone stands ready to lead by example,” Minister Karminty affirmed. “That is why I am delighted to announce our intention to host the first-ever global conference on sports trafficking. This conference will provide a platform for countries, institutions, and stakeholders to collaborate on practical solutions to this pressing issue.”

The day concluded with The Walking Football Match, an innovative advocacy initiative by Generation Amazing Foundation that emphasises the importance of communication and access to adequate resources. The initiative demonstrated how sports can serve as both a medium for awareness and a tool for change.

For media inquiries, please reach out to media@mission89.org

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Mission 89 in collaboration with the Sport Journalists Association of the Gambia (SJAG) on Saturday 16th January, organised an 8-kilometre Media Run Against Trafficking in Sport in The Gambia. The event, which started and ended at the Traffic Lights in Banjul, attracted over 200 people from diverse sectors of society. The President of SJAG, Musa Sise, serving as event MC, read a statement on behalf of Mission89. He thanked Mission 89 for the partnership and emphasised the need for the media to be at the forefront of the challenges in sport, such as human trafficking.

Addressing the participants before the warm-up, the Minister for Youth and Sport, Mr. Bakary Badjie praised Mission 89 and SJAG for the first of its kind awareness raising campaign, commending the impressive turn-out. Mr. Badjie said, “we were not even thinking about human trafficking in sport, we were thinking about human trafficking in other areas”. He emphasised that Mission 89 and SJAG has stimulated government through the Ministry to take up the issue with other stakeholders in the sport sector, at other levels, to prevent young Gambians from falling prey of trafficking in sport.

Minister for Youth and Sport of the Gambia, Bakary Badjie being interviewed during the run.

Diverse voices of stakeholders
The Run attracted a large turn-out of enthusiastic key stakeholders from the public and private sectors. Participants came from a wide range of institutions such as the National Agency Against Trafficking in Person, the Gambia Immigration Department, International Organization for Migration country office, African Legal Charter, the National Youth Council, National Sports Council, the Gambia Football federation, among others. Other participants included the Walk for Health team, members of the local media and SJAG executives, Businessmen, and Diaspora Gambians. Banka Manneh, a prominent online platform host on holidays from the USA expressed his enthusiasm on joining the campaign. “I had seen the pictures on facebook and I said, I want to be part of this to sensitise and educate our population on this issue!”

Participants who took part in the run came from diverse sectors of the society to show support to what is considered an innovative idea initiated by Mission89 and the SJAG partnership.

Breaking the silence
According to participants, the event inspires better understanding and discussions into the topic as related to the local set up and understanding. “Trafficking in sport is luring someone into something they don’t know” added a former youth coach and journalist trainer Sang Mendy. Adding, “it is important to sensitise the young ones and the parents. Most of the parents are not aware of the danger their children could be going through and it is important to sensitise these people too”. He continued, “most parents are really involved in the football trials of their children but little are they aware of the existence of fake agents and individuals who disguised on the promise of helping to get the breakthrough”. The event also serves as a wake-up call for the sport sector to scrutinise its means to strengthen the sports structures and make it economically viable for young athletes to participate. The Communications Officer of the Gambia Football Federation, Baboucarr Camara highlighted that as the custodians of football in the country, more work needed to be done with clubs in this respect to ensure that agents coming into the country are scrutinised.

In his closing remarks the President of the SJAG, emphasised that the intention is not just to organise the event and stop there, but for other organizations and individuals to take up the issue from Mission 89 and SJAG collaboration in order to stop the menace in the country.

The Executive Director of the National Agency Against Trafficking in Persons (NAATIP), Tulia Jawara and the President of the Sport Journalists Association (SJAG), Musa Sise.

The first step into the country-strategy
The Media Run is the first of a series of events Mission 89 lined-up to raise awareness in collaboration with the sports press in the West African country with over 2 million inhabitants. Other events planned include a virtual roundtable to take place on 21st January at 16h00 GMT, a training programme for sport journalists on human trafficking in sport, among others.

The Gambia has become a hub for sex trafficking, child labour and illegal migration. In 2016, a first division club in the national football league, Banjul United, lost 25 of its players through illegal migration in the Mediterranean sea. A national wrestler Ali Mbengu (Mil Franc) and national female footballer Fatim Jawara both lost their lives at sea trying to cross to Europe.

Watch the Media Run here.

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On June 9th, Mission ‘89 and Istanbul Bilgi University, jointly hosted a virtual round table that discussed “the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and restrictions imposed on the lives of migrant footballers in Istanbul”. The round table, co-moderated by Mission ‘89 Board Member, Yann Coelenbier and Faculty Member of the Sport Management Department at the Istanbul Bilgi University, Dr. Ilknur Hacisoftaoglu, invited experts from the fields of journalism, academia and city management to collectively address the difficulties faced by migrant athletes and victims of football trafficking in Istanbul, while encouraging cooperation and action at the institutional level.

Mr. Coelenbier outlined the importance of understanding the perspectives of both athletes and relevant stakeholder institutions, while encouraging a climate of cooperation and collective action, noting that “there is no one road to migration in sports. Every athlete has different motivations – but most importantly, they want to contribute and build a better future”.

In exploring the lived experiences of Istanbul’s migrant footballers, Dr. Hacisoftaoglu, who has been studying the topic for the past year, was clear in her assessment that “we have a problem in sports, particularly in football; the scale of the industry has made it a common destination for migrant footballers around the world”.

Head of the African Community in Turkey, Julius Kugor, pointed to lack of job prospects, as well as recent regulations in the lower levels of Turkey’s football pyramid as particularly troubling developments for migrant footballers. “Two years ago the Turkish Football Federation ruled that foreigners cannot play in the 4th and 5th division, so it has become very tough for migrant players”, he said.

Bagis Erten, Journalist & Production Manager at Eurosport, was less optimistic in his outlook for migrant football players in the wake of COVID-19, pointing out that uncertain financial health in the lower divisions is likely to make the protection of migrant athletes a low priority. He was of the view that “the only hope for migrant athletes must come from civic society, as the football industry’s agenda will be too loaded to consider anything else”.

At the institutional level, however, there appears to be enthusiasm for action. According to Coordinator of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality’s Migration Unit, Simten Birsoz, they have expanded basic protection services to migrants in the city (providing nearly

8000 support packages thus far), while they continue to assess their action plan, which involves “creating harmonization opportunities between migrants and host communities and making municipal activities inclusive to migrants, including recreational sports funding”.

There was acknowledgment that those at the top of the Turkish football pyramid also have their part to play, through lobbying and public awareness campaigns. “Galatasaray are not part of the problem, but we can be part of the solution”, stated Istanbul Bilgi University Professor and Galatasary S.K. Board Member Emre Erdogan.

Mission89 Board Member Yann Coelenbier, ended the round table by emphasizing the power of cooperative discussions in tackling societal problems facing migrant athletes. “Cooperation is to create empowerment. We have clubs with resources, we have municipalities with the capacity to integrate and recognize, and we have athletes who wish to take action,” he concluded.

Media Contact:

Media@mission89.org

gizem.kulekcioglu@bilgi.edu.tr

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In many countries, youth with little or no access to education dream of traveling to other nations to escape a life of poverty by becoming professional football players. Opportunistic and often unscrupulous agents look to make big money from selling ‘dreams’ to vulnerable children and families willing to migrate to unknown places for a better future.

To combat this alarming phenomenon, in the early 2000s, FIFA put in place measures to safeguard the movement and transfer of underage players. Article 19, in FIFA’s Regulation on the Status and Transfer of Players (‘RSTP’), states that international transfers of players are only permitted if the player has reached at least 18 years of age. This regulation was designed to restrict the movement of underage players and prevent the trafficking of young footballers.

We caught up with James Johnson, the former Head of Professional Football at FIFA, to assess the effectiveness of this measure so far.

Over 15 years after its introduction, has Article 19 lived up to the initial expectations?

The primary original objective of the minor rules was to protect minors from mistreatment when transferring abroad. This objective remains sound. However, I question whether the rules go further than this stated objective and whether the status quo has resulted in other unintended consequences, such as unnecessary labor market restrictions for players and placing obstacles before clubs capable of providing optimal training and education opportunities for minors. I think the rules would better achieve their original objective by an enhanced focus on lifting the standards that clubs must meet in order to recruit minors.

What challenges have the football governing bodies faced in tackling child trafficking in football?

I think the football governing bodies have done a solid job with reactive sanctions on trafficking cases in football. For example, in 2015, FIFA took action against perpetrators in a case where West African players were trafficked to Laos in breach of the rules. A challenge for the industry is being able to proactively prevent these cases from occurring. I question whether the football governing bodies are equipped to do this on their own.

There is wide discussion in world football on reforming the transfer system. Should the ’reformed’ transfer system include new rules on the movement of minors?

I would like to see a robust club licensing or accreditation system in place for the recruitment of minors. In such a system, if a club wishes to recruit a minor then the club would need to be licensed or accredited by FIFA or a Confederation. Standards could then be built into the system to ensure that minors who move internationally are provided high standards of training, education and living. Put simply, those clubs that meet exemplary standards should be able to recruit minors. Those that cannot should not. Such a system would, in my view, place the best interests of the minor at the core of the rules and better achieve their primary objective.

Agents are often involved with transferring minors internationally. Should there be global licensing standards on agents to protect young players?

Yes. In general, it would be in the interests of clubs and players for governing bodies to introduce high licensing standards. This would enhance services the agent provides to the relevant client. There are many agents who would also support such a system. In developing standards, specific requirements should be placed on agents dealing with minors. The standards should also be consistent globally since trafficking involves movement across borders. FIFA recently announced that it will introduce a new set of agent regulations, including a registration and licensing system. I think this is the right direction, but the real test will be whether the new system can be effectively enforced.

Generally, as well as in football clubs, there doesn’t seem to be enough awareness of the scale of the problem of child trafficking in football. Why?

There is limited information and data on trafficking in football. Football governing bodies rely on cases that go through the system, but this is an issue that obviously occurs outside. I think the football industry – and possibly other sports – would benefit from a deeper understanding of the whole supply chain behind the trafficking of minors. This could only be achieved through research and analysis. To my knowledge, there has been little research and analysis done on trafficking in football to date. Thus, there is an opportunity to fill this space.

Why is the problem of child trafficking normally mentioned in connection with football? Other sports, though in different ways, are also involved. How could football take the lead on this issue?

I would hypothesize that there are more potential trafficking cases across borders in football as compared to other sports simply because football is the biggest and most international sport. I think the football industry needs to be realistic about what football governing bodies are capable of on their own and where cooperation with others could enhance the ability to prevent trafficking. I think there is an opportunity – and even a need – to bring the football governing bodies together with governmental authorities and NGOs. Practices to prevent trafficking would improve if each of these groups unite to share information, knowledge and address the issue in a coordinated manner.

This article is part of a series of interviews conducted by Mission89 on child trafficking in football with key sports administrators, personalities, academics and educators.

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The World Game’s story highlights Mission 89 and the organization’s effort to bring together stakeholders and push grassroots education programs on legitimate pathways to a career in professional sport.

“The exploitation of children is a grave violation of human rights,” Mission 89 spokesperson Matthew Hall told The World  Game.

“Fake football agents using fake promises to recruit young men into an underworld of illegal immigration and crime is a concern for all of us. Football should not be a platform to exploit vulnerable people.

“Mission 89 is not interested in a blame game. Instead, we want to help individuals and organisations with the authority, resources and power to address this issue head on. We want to stamp this out.

“Trafficking in football is a complex issue but the professional players across Europe have the power to make a big difference.”

Professional players have been identified as potentially playing a leading role in grassroots education programs across Africa. The story also highlights September’s meeting in Brussels that saw child trafficking in sport placed on the European Union’s political agenda.

Click here to read the story ‘Mission launched to stamp out African ‘slave trade’ in full.

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The Mirror quoted FIFA’s former head of security, ex-Interpol agent Chris Eaton, who said: “There are thousands of African ­children and youths tricked and even trafficked to European countries.

“They are all being attracted by the Premier League. English clubs have launched campaigns to stop this sort of crime, but it has not been matched by the Confederation of African Football or FIFA.

“They are failing in their moral duty. They talk about the dream, but so often the dream turns into a nightmare.”

The report referred to an investigation into a Paris-based passport forger whose fake documents were found on a player who moved from Mali to France,  who  was promised trials at one of Europe’s top clubs.

The young player was trafficked overland to Paris by Lebanese smugglers where he discovered the promise was a scam and was left unable to pay for a trip back home. Investigators who picked him up found jewellery and mobile phones on him, suggesting he had been forced into slavery for a criminal network.

Mission 89’s Matthew Hall is quoted in the report:  “This is football’s dirty little secret.”

“It’s as simple as a man turning up in an African village wearing a white linen suit and promising a professional career.

“Quite often it never materialises and these people are left abandoned.”

Read the full Sunday Mirror report by clicking here.

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