Age Fraud in African Football - players pretending to be younger than they are

BoysInBlue · February 13, 2014

Interesting article here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26174252

These lads must be very fit for their age to get away with it. I mean, if you see a 40 year old in Sunday League footy, you KNOW he's 40. Some of these lads look it, but physically they're in great shape.

babyhayley · February 14, 2014

Wasn't Ibrahim Bakayoko one of those who claimed to be younger than he actually was, and Arsenal refused to sign him in the end? I remember our ex-manager referring to Yakubu's age as a "Nigerian 25" and he got into a bit of bother at the the time.

obc · February 14, 2014

There's a lot of that that goes on in baseball with Latin American players as well.

ScouseBlueBoy · February 14, 2014

I always thought John Gidman looked much older than his age.

BoysInBlue · February 14, 2014

I always think footy players in the 60s and 70s always looked older than they were.

The likes of Bobby Charlton & Nobby Stiles looked a lot older than their late 20s/early 30s back then.

bluelife · February 14, 2014

At the bottom of the page there's a link to 'Lazio insist 17 year old player is not 41' hahahaha
Look at him! http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26162408

Toffeelover · February 14, 2014

I always thought Yakubu was far older than he claimed, but I bet over in the dark continent they don't go in much for birth certificates, unforged ones anyway.

dead_soft · February 15, 2014

I am shocked.

SteKelly · February 15, 2014

Falcao done it as well I think but only by a few years.

dholliday · February 15, 2014

Meet 17-year old Joseph Minala:

not even joking...

dholliday · February 15, 2014

not just the Nigerians, tho':

toffeejack · February 15, 2014

when does it start?

are they a 16 year old, hairy legged individual playing in the u10's league?

if that guy really is 41 - he'll be grocked in 3 or 4 years time when he's suppose to only be 21-22.

orly · February 15, 2014

Toffeelover said:
I always thought Yakubu was far older than he claimed, but I bet over in the dark continent they don't go in much for birth certificates, unforged ones anyway.

Cannot believe dark continent has gone unnoticed on here lol