FIFPro, 13 June 2018

FIFPro is concerned about the reported detention of one of China’s most promising young footballers.

Erfan Hezim was reportedly taken to a “political re-education camp” in February for “visiting foreign countries” when he returned home from a trip to Spain and Dubai.

The 19-year-old striker — also known as Ye Erfan – last year signed a 5-year contract with Chinese Super League team Jiangsu Suning.

The young footballer is a Uyghur, a Turkish ethnic group in China which Human Rights Watch says is closely monitored by Chinese authorities.

Erfan’s photograph still appears on Jiangsu Suning’s website but, according to Human Rights Watch, he has not played or trained with the team since February.

FIFPro is calling for Erfan’s immediate release so that he can be reunited with his family and continue his football career.

Last year, Erfan scored a stunning overhead kick for China’s Under-19 team against Hungary that was posted on several websites.

A few weeks later, he posed for a selfie with Lionel Messi at an Adidas promotional event in Beijing.

Reported by FIFPro

https://www.fifpro.org/news/fifpro-statement-chinese-player-detained/en/