Cameroon have disqualified 21 of their U-17 stars over age fraud concerns with the action coming from under ‘strict orders’ from president Samuel Eto’o.
The majority of their squad for an age-group event this year have been axed with over 60 per cent of Cameroon’s U17 squad said to have failed the MRI tests.
The tests are used to determine a player’s age by scanning their wrists and measuring bone growth.
Cameroon’s football federation president Samuel Eto’o is desperate to eradicate the problem in the central African country.
Back in the summer, Cameroon’s F.A summoned 44 players from eight different clubs for a hearing into alleged age or identity cheating.
A Cameroon statement read: “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.”
Cameroon have recently come under criticism for withholding the list of selected players for both their Under-20 and Under-17 teams.
There are also said to be concerns regarding their squad for this year’s African Nations Championships, with an official list of players still not made public ahead of their opening game on January 16.
Age fraud continues to be a major source of concern for African football, with many of their international successes at junior level clouded by allegations of over-age players.
But after becoming the Cameroon federation’s president in December 2021, Eto’o promised reform of the game in the country and stepping up his efforts for exactly that.
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