HOME > NEWS > FIFA BEGINS AGE CHEAT TESTS

Fifa begins age-cheat tests

Fifa begins age-cheat tests

Posted: 2010-05-16 17:12

South African footballing authorities will be pleased to hear that Fifa has begun tests that may ultimately end age-cheating in youth tournaments.

Fran Hilton-Smith recently disclosed that Safa had lost a protest with the World football governing body following a 5-0 loss to Nigeria’s girls’ Under-17 team in their homeland.

Bantwana officials said they had recognised some of the Nigerian girls as having played in matches at Under-20 or Under-23 level.

Now Fifa has begun a study on whether Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) tests can help determine the age of players in youth womens football.

Fifa expert Dr Yacine Zerguini of Algeria who is currently in Tanzania to execute one of the exercises in collaboration with the Tanzania Football Medical Committee, said in Dar es Salaam at the weekend that the research seeks to crack down on ‘age cheats’ in women’s football.

“The problem of age cheating in Under-17 and Under-20 tournaments is widely reported, this is why we have to think of solutions. This research project which is being carried in five continents aims to determine age of players in youth women football.”

“MRI of the wrist is a simple, reliable, valid and non-invasive method of age determination in young male football players, and now Fifa wants to find out if the technique can be used in women football,” he said.

Zerguini explained on how the study has been conducted saying: “We’re carrying MRI scans of players wrists and by measuring the fusion of bones will be able to determine whether they are actually under 17.”

He said the fusion of bones normally takes place for people who are above 17 years, which means if the fusion of bones has already taken place in the player's wrist, she must have passed that age.

Zerguini, who was accompanied by Dr Sylvester Faya, the chairman of TFF Medical Committee, said Tanzania was selected to represent the Africa continent in the study in which 130 players will be involved from each of the five countries.

Brazil was selected from South America, Canada for North America, Thailand for Asia, while Belgium represents Europe.

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Birikiti: 2010-05-16 20:58

Bring on the tests FIFA; Nigerian girls are clean!

Shame to bad people!

Detmolder: 2010-05-16 21:00

I said this age cheating was going to come back and bite us in the ass, this is the start of a nightmare for Nigerian football. We could lose and major past tournaments that we have won one due to disqualification. Mark my words here.

Kerewa: 2010-05-16 21:12

FIFA! FIFA!! FIFA!!! Is it not the same MRI scan that u guys brought to naija and 30 out of the 36 players we had in camp failed the test. Stanley Okoro and the captain Fortune chukwudi made it thru. But till today Nigerians are still crying foul that the two are above 28years. So which one are we going to believe. Is that the scan thing aint working or the two have delays in their bone development??? Well the truth of the matter is that whichever way FIFA wants dto use, Our dudes will always come out clean. I dont know how???

shola: 2010-05-16 21:20

Mr emeka, i'm sure you're not a Nigerian.

CHUCK: 2010-05-16 21:32

FIFA will never succeed with MRI, an old man can have young boy`s bone age as result of delay in growth development.

Mechi: 2010-05-16 21:55

@Emeka , you are a full who think he knew every thing, Go and hide your face in the goter or if possible go and hang your self, full,admit so that you may receive help, you dont have any thing doing, keep killing your self while nigeria are proglessing, Do you see massi of FC baceronia , people said he is 22years but he got baby who is about 4years old , but it was a nigeria peopel will say he is 100years you full jeloss.

kent: 2010-05-16 22:32

@Mechi.Your problem is lack of good Education.First learn English before you make any comment.
@Emeka. Youu are Right. I hope FIFA would finally do something about Nigerian`s age cheating.

Nwachinemere: 2010-05-16 22:57

@Emeka u are an Idiot for this comment of yours.Who do u think u are fooling Nigerians?No u cant fool us ok.All ur comments here on this site has always been Nagatives and insults on Nigeria u are a fool.I dont know why u are ashame to claim ur own country South Africa,and stop posting ur useless comments here,post them to ur South African side of Kickoff.

Nwachinemere: 2010-05-16 23:16

@Mr what time Nigeria up are u talking about?Did u even understand the statements above?So what time up are u talking about?Did u not read there that FIFA rejected SAFA protest against Nigeria?So what are u saying?

Icegaze: 2010-05-16 23:47

Err, Emeka has a point. So those namecalling him should refrain. And what does being a Nigerian got to do with admiting age cheats exist in the country?

I'm a 100% Nigerian and I am fed up of the age cheating in my country. I know it exists because I once met a semi-pro Nigerian footballer in France who told me he claimed to be 22 to his club in French 3rd league while he was actually 28!

Age cheating does exist - not only in Nigeria, mind you - and must be ERADICATED.

Emperor: 2010-05-17 00:11

South Africa beat Thailand and their people are happy, what a myopic set of people, somebody should tell them that Thailand is not a football country, they are only good in massage.

Nwachinemere: 2010-05-17 00:46

BBC SPORT AFRICA:
BRYAN ROBSON WARNS WORLD CUP MANAGERS OF TRUMPET NOISE:
FORMER ENGLAND CAPTAIN BRYAN ROBSON BELIEVES WORLD CUP MANAGERS COULD STRUGGLE AGAINST THE NOISE OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN PLASTIC TRUMPET;THE VUVUZELA.ROBSON.WHO IS MANAGER OF THAILAND SAW HIS SIDE LOSE 4-0 TO SOUTH AFRICA IN A WARM UP MATCH IN NELSPRUIT ON SUNDAY:BUT THE DEAFENING AND TUNELESS NOISE FROM THE TRUMPET DROWNED OUT HIS INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE BENCH AND HE HAD TO CALL PLAYERS OVER TO THE SIDE LINES:THE COACHES AT THE WORLD CUP ARE DEFINITELY GOING TO HAVE TO INFORM THEIR PLAYERS BEFORE HAND THAT THEY WILL HAVE TO COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY WITH EACH OTHER ON THE FIELD IF THEY ARE TO MAKE ANY THING OUT OF IT:

Philosopher : 2010-05-17 02:14

One thing i get to know about s.africa is complaining, they make unnecessary complains in almost everything that doesnt favour them. Mark my words.

eye_on_eagles: 2010-05-17 04:52

LOL NA NIGERIAN ASS BREEZ WAN OPEN SO OOOO HAHAHAHA

Msanzifinest.coza: 2010-05-17 07:41

@Emperor..my brother, i am not sure what you expect of Bafana-Bafana; were they suppose to loose?? give credit where is due, your blatant naked hatred of South Africa is showing, where is your African spirit of Football; yes Thailand are minnows, and it was part of Bafana-Bafana's preparation for the up-coming World Cup, is there something wrong if South Africa Win, Do you expect the Supporters to be Upset and Angry?? Please leave BB alone an focus on the Super Eagles, they have not Yet Starting Kicking a Ball,they are still querreling about Hotels, Which teams to play friendlies with; DO NOT BE JEALOUS. Leave BB to South Africans and Africans who follow Football without descriminating against other teams.

Msanzifinest.coza: 2010-05-17 07:54

Yes the expectation of BB fans is to see them do well, like any other African who hopes that African teams performs well since the World Cup is on African soil, i amused by the so-called football critics here who are so persimistic about Bafana-Bafana and most of the are Nigerians, i am puzzled by their naked jealousy, Yes we play minnows for preparations but is Super Eagles playing anyone better than BB?? the answer is no, moreover; who are they facing in their group?? they also have a tough one like us, as much as i will be rooting for all African teams; SE cannot pretent as if it is a walk over in thier group, so SE fans must stop focusing on BB only let them worry about what is going to happen to SE. ONE LOVE ONE AFRICA

Philosopher : 2010-05-17 09:14

@jonathan pls stop claiming to be a nigerian, or are you ashame of your country Ghana? I understand that Ghanian also speak pigin english. If you want to switch your allegiance to nigeria we will manage you.

ejay: 2010-05-17 09:36

The MRI was used and Nigeria still got to the finals of the last U-17 WC. I think it is a good thing for Nigerian football development. what we had was a case of Nigerians shooting themselves in their own foot by parading over aged players. We did have victories, yes. but in the long run we have been a failed football nation at the senior stage.. You think it is bad for us. I think it is good for us.

Nwachinemere: 2010-05-17 09:53

@topnotch let me answer ur questions.That Mother****er @Emeka is an enemy of Nigeria, that Mother****er never says any thing good about Nigeria, his wishes all the time is that Nigeria should Fall always nagative about Nigeria.Hideing under the claim to be a Nigeria to deceive some people,so dont nobody mind what ever he is commenting on this site.He should comment on Kickoff South Africa his people there they need some Fools like him.

Emeka_Shaggar: 2010-05-17 12:36

This age cheating must stop it is immoral. How can these players who cheat have a conscience, they should be banned for life from any Fifa event ever.

Philosopher : 2010-05-17 12:53

@emeka what do you know about immoral?, is it moral for you to impersonate? I thought you dont have conscience.

Icegaze: 2010-05-17 12:55

@topnotch
Emeka's 1st sentence is what I was refering to. I know it's impossible for Nigeria to have their trophies taken back. Just not practical. But the fact that we will be OFFICIALLY regarded as age cheats all over the world is what should worry us.

Joseph: 2010-05-17 14:08

Who is this Emeka? your always negative in all your comment.

Nwachinemere: 2010-05-17 14:52

@Icegaze is it only Nigeria u and ur brother @Emeka see in this whole wide world?Why cant u too focus on other countries?Home killers because u guys know where Nigeria is in Africa.YOUR country South Africa has tried there best to RUBBISH Nigeria on FIFA side they LOST now it is u two CHICKENS.Nomatter what u guys comment here or try to do Nigeria is bigger than u.So u see MILLIONS of can not pull Nigeria down.Not now and not for ever.So go HANG UR SELFS.Shame to Bad People.

kent: 2010-05-17 19:30

@topnotch. You are right, past tournamemts are already done deal. FIFA will not go back to any of them. My point was that, we been cheating for years and NFF is the one promoting it. Age cheating is a very serious crime and people doing and promoting it should be jailed.

Emeka_Shaggar: 2010-05-17 20:55

The minister of sport acknowledges this is a problem what say you now detmolder?

Ceeee 2: 2010-05-18 03:30

Na who talk say na for african alone where age cheating dey? here for america, one guy were be 22 years for him country for Hatti come tell american say e be 16 years. Him even begin play basketball like high school boy, get 15 year old girlfriend. now my guy smell iron, the only hear basketball commentry for radio. dem charge am with rape that one mean say, him own don finish. my point? for africa, dem fit catch person for age cheating but which kind form of punishment dem go give am so that make others learn from dat person? my people, forget, fifa dem know say, even secondary school boys for africa fit clock 30 but as dem grow ground ground like goat e go hard to tell. okay make i give una example, Stanley Okoro, una believe say that guy na 17? see lines for him face like exercise book,him leg look like metal where mechanic panelbeat, teeth don start to the fall with no replacement, him still be 17 shea? why fifa no come strat for Nigeria as south africa been complain nigeria not zimbabwe. Bone those guys, this one one na koro koro politics.