An Ethiopian youth team consisting of about 20 players and coaches has gone missing after the Gothia Cup in Gothenburg. None of them have returned to their home country, and the police believe this is likely a case of voluntary departure.
An all-Ethiopian youth soccer team consisting of about 20 players and coaches has gone missing after the Gothia Cup in Gothenburg. The players are between 14 and 17 years old.
The group left their accommodations at a school without following the usual departure procedures. Their disappearance was discovered on the last day of the tournament. None of the players have returned to Ethiopia, and a police report has been filed.
The Gothia Cup has been in email contact with a coach who flew home the day before. The coach states that everyone in the group ”is safe and doing well”and are in contact with their families. However, it has not been confirmed that they are in Ethiopia.".
Wanted internationally
The police believe this is likely a case of voluntary disappearance. There are no indications of human trafficking or other criminal activity, according to Ellinor Halldin, head of the Missing Persons Unit in Region West.
An international manhunt has now been launched for the group. The police are cooperating with the Swedish Migration Agency, the border police, and foreign authorities.
It is not uncommon for individual players from developing countries to stay on after the Gothia Cup, but the departure of an entire group of this size is described as unusual.
These should be returned to their home country
The Gothia Cup should be shut down to prevent this kind of nonsense—it only leads to crime.
Crime and Problems
They shouldn't even come here to play soccer in the first place—they can play at home.
Cancel the Gothia Cup as punishment for this behavior.
As someone said, they can play at home instead