Age fraud scandal rages on as DR Congo withdraw from the U17 Africa Cup of Nations
Democratic Republic of Congo have pulled out of a regional qualifying tournament for the 2023 Under-17 African Cup of Nations after 25 out of 40 players failed mandatory age testing.
It comes after the saga rocked Cameroon earlier this month, with a total of 32 players failing tests which had been ordered by Samuel Eto’o, the president of the country’s football association.
A statement from the Congolese football federation (FECOFA) said they were forced to withdraw after ‘only 15 were eligible and 25 failed of the 40 players submitted for MRI testing.’
DR Congo have withdrawn from the U17 African Cup of Nations after 25 players failed age tests
However, of the 15 players who passed the age test, the statement also revealed that ‘only five managed to complete the necessary administrative formalities’ that would have allowed them to travel to Cameroon.
BBC Sport Africa reported that Cameroon found 30 replacement players in a race against time to take part in the qualifiers for the U17 AFCON.
Unlike those who failed, the 30 players have all passed Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) tests in Douala.
The tests are used to determine a player’s age by scanning their wrists and measuring bone growth.
The Indomitable Lions will not be able to kick off the tournament on January 12 as scheduled due to DR Congo’s withdrawal.
Four countries – Cameroon, Congo-Brazzaville, Chad and Central African Republic – will now take part in the qualifying competition, with the Central African Football Federations’ Union (UNIFFAC) rescheduling fixtures between January 12 and 24.
Cameroon were forced to find 30 players after 32 also failed MRI tests which had been ordered by the country’s president of their football association Samuel Eto’o
Two teams will then progress to April’s Under-17 Nations Cup finals in Algeria.
UNIFFAC told the BBC: ‘It is an organisational nightmare because we have to quickly come up with a new format that will involve four nations instead of the original five.
‘We are happy that after the MRI scans, all four nations now have a team.’
Cameroon’s governing body, Fecafoot revealed in a statement that Eto’o had given ‘strict instructions’ for the tests to take place ‘in order to put an end to the tampering with civil status records which have, in the past, tarnished the image of Cameroon football.’
They added: ‘Fecafoot urges all actors, in particular educators, to ensure that the ages by category are respected.’
Age fraud has been a long-running concern for African football, with many of their international successes at junior level clouded by allegations of over-age players.
Accusations have regularly been made but there has seemingly been little attempt to investigate it from the authorities.
Age or identity fraud continues to be a major source of concern for African football as a whole
Cameroon have twice been African champions at Under-17 level and Fecafoot previously blocked 14 players from competing in the Under-17 AFCON tournament in 2017 after failing MRI tests, introduced by FIFA at the 2009 Under-17 World Cup.
In the summer, Cameroon’s Football Federation summoned 44 players from eight different clubs for a hearing into alleged age or identity cheating, highlighting their attempts to deal with the problem.
After the first 21 out of the 32 players failed tests, Fecafoot outlined their nation’s position following the failed tests.
They had said: ‘The Cameroonian Football Federation informs public opinion that as part of the preparations for the UNIFFAC Limbe 2023 tournament, qualifying for the next African U17 Nations Championship, 21 players out of the 30 currently on training have failed at the outcome of the MRI tests.
‘They were immediately removed from the group. Steps were immediately taken for their replacement.
‘This action is the result of strict instructions given by the President of FECAFOOT acting under the mandate of the COMEX, in order to put an end to the tampering with civil status records which have, in the past, tarnished the image of the apex body of the Cameroon football. FECAFOOT urges all actors, in particular educators, to ensure that the ages by category are respected.’
