  urlLink EurasiaNet Culture - Soccer Fuels Reconstruction Hopes in Afghanistan : "The Taliban disapproved fiercely of soccer, and while never banning it outright, ensured that it was severely restricted. Players were forced to play in the traditional shalwar kameez, and had to stop mid-game when the call to prayer went out. In addition, fans were prohibited from actively cheering for their teams. In an infamous incident in 2000, a visiting Pakistan youth team in Kandahar made the mistake of wearing shorts. The Taliban placed the players under arrest and ended up shaving their heads as punishment. " 
