25 July 2020

New West Ham signing Nor Mustafa on the discrimination she faced in her own country, Sweden

SkyWest Ham striker Nor Mustafa has spoken of the discrimination she faced as a player in Sweden.

Mustafa, who signed for the Women’s Super League side this week, was born in Sweden to Kurdish parents. She has said she faced challenges at the unnamed club for being different to her team-mates.

She told Sky Sports: "I have had a lot of challenges and difficulties in my life.

"I joined a club in Sweden but, in the beginning, it was not easy for me because I did not look like the other girls. You know, the typical Swedish girl with blonde hair and blue eyes. 

"It was hard. I felt like I had to score five goals per game for this team. I just did not get noticed unless I did double the work or triple the work.

"I did not get playing time and it was not because I was not good enough, it was because of the way that I looked and the place that I came from. That is just what it was like."

The 18 year-old, who has represented Sweden’s national team at youth level, has also announced she is now a part of Common Goal - a charitable organisation where players pledge at least one per cent of their salary to the cause.

She added: "I am young and my career is just starting but I already want to give back. This is a big thing for me, you know?

"Common Goal is not an ordinary charity. Look at the great work that they have been doing with all different types of people on immigration and gender equality, everything.

"This is something that I have been burning for."

The WSL are aiming to start their next season on September 5.

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