After scoring in United’s 4-1 win Pogba celebrated with crossed wrists and later explained on his Instagram account: “While very happy to be back, my prayers go to those suffering slavery in Libya. May Allah be by your side and may this cruelty come to an end!”

The CNN report highlighted an underground migrant auction outside Libya’s capital of Tripoli. The CNN crew witnessed the sale of at least a dozen men – some for as little as $400.

There is a direct link between the experience of some of the migrants forced into slavery and sold in auctions in Libya and aspiring footballers who are exploited by fake agents and some academies in Africa with false promises of contracts in Europe.

Europe is presented as a “promised land” for people wanting to improve their personal situation; intermediaries demand money for services that often do not materialize or have no guarantee of success; the desire to seek economic exploitation exposes people to exploitation and human rights violations.