On Tuesday, the president of a Tunisian football club in the fourth division announced that the club has temporarily halted its operations as 30 of its players had illegally migrated to Europe.

The president of a Tunisian football club, Jamil Meftahi, informed AFP that the club has suspended its activities as 32 players have emigrated illegally to Europe in the past three years due to the club’s financial constraints.

Meftahi explained that the club could not afford the equipment, jerseys, and sports shoes, and the players did not receive financial subsidies.

Most of the players, aged between 17 and 22, had traveled to Europe either by sea or by going to Serbia and then illegally crossing borders to other countries. The suspension will continue until the club solves with the Tunisian Football Federation.

The town of Ghardimaou, where the club is based, is in a marginalized area heavily reliant on agriculture and is on the border with Algeria in the northwest of Tunisia.

Illegal emigration of Tunisian sportsmen has become increasingly common in recent years. In February, the Avenir Sportif de Rejiche club announced that its substitute goalkeeper, Khalil Zaouli, had emigrated illegally to Italy due to financial difficulties faced by the club.

Tunisia, located less than 150 kilometers away from the Italian island of Lampedusa, witnesses frequent attempts by migrants, primarily from sub-Saharan African countries, to leave for Italy.

The Italian Interior Ministry has reported that over 14,000 migrants have arrived in Italy since the start of the year, compared to over 5,300 and 4,300 in the same period last year and 2021, respectively. Additionally, thousands of Tunisians have illegally left the country by sea, with the economic and social situation worsening since the coup by President Kais Saied.