Manchester United and Manchester City are facing questions about a potential age-fraud scandal involving some foreign-born academy players, as per a groundbreaking report from Telegraph Sport.
Evidence has emerged casting doubt on the stated ages of six unnamed footballers who have moved to the UK in the last several years – three of whom have played for England at youth level – and raising the prospect that some may even be adults.
It includes photographs indicating that each of the six had played in much older year groups back in their homelands than the age they purportedly would have been.
However, both clubs have acknowledged the evidence, and the issue has raised questions about whether more could have been done to verify the ages of foreign-born academy players.
The revelation of these concerns has sparked debates about whether age testing should be mandatory for all foreign-born academy players.
While the Nationality and Borders Act 2022 allows for scientific age testing upon entry to the UK, this hasn’t been done for these players.
Testing is already common in countries with a history of age fraud in football, and some parents believe it should be a requirement for UK clubs to ensure fair play.
In addition to the age concerns, there are also fears of potential child trafficking, given the Fifa rules that prevent clubs from signing foreign children unless their parents or legal guardians have moved for non-footballing reasons.
The idea that the falsification of age could be a deliberate strategy to gain an unfair advantage in securing professional contracts has raised further alarm.
Despite the seriousness of the allegations, there is no indication that Manchester United or Manchester City knowingly allowed any age fraud to occur.
Both clubs have expressed confidence in their adherence to regulations and their commitment to safeguarding the well-being of their players.
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However, with these allegations in mind, the question remains whether enough is being done to prevent such issues from arising in the future.
Parents of academy players have spoken out, highlighting the impact age discrepancies can have on the competitive environment, with some claiming the physical and developmental differences between foreign-born players and local talent are putting their children at a disadvantage.
One parent described it as a “massive safeguarding issue,” noting the physical risks posed when much older players compete against younger ones.
Concerns have also been raised about how the alleged age fraud could be tied to larger issues, such as the trafficking of young players.
The case of Manchester United’s Amad Diallo, who was fined for using false documents when entering Italy as a 12-year-old, has added fuel to the fire, further complicating the narrative around the potential for trafficking in football.
While both Manchester United and Manchester City have refrained from commenting on specific actions they may take, they maintain that they follow the regulations laid out by governing bodies, prioritizing player safety and welfare.
As this issue continues to develop, the potential fallout could lead to more rigorous checks and scrutiny in the way foreign players are recruited and age-verified by UK football academies.
Parents of current and former academy players have stressed that, regardless of the outcome for these six players, the wider implications could impact the opportunities for UK-born talent in the future.
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Source: Centred Devils
