MRI Test Spots 21 Over-aged Players Out Of 30 In Cameroon

It was a complete disaster for the Cameroon Football Association as an MRI test carried out on 21 players of the country’s under-seventeen 30-man team came out negative.

After so many of the boys chosen for Cameroon’s U-17 side failed the test, the Cameroon FA called up about 44 players from eight different clubs for an investigation into alleged age or identity irregularities.

According to reports, the FA president, Samuel Eto’o, is eager to eradicate any traces of these unethical practices in Cameroonian football.

File photo of Cameroon FA president, Samuel Eto’o.

The players who have been called into camp for training in preparation for the UNIFFAC Limbe 2023 competition had to undergo an MRI test due to a viral age cheat scandal in Cameroon.

A player’s wrists and bone development are scanned during an MRI test to establish their ages.

After viral reports that 21 players failed the test, a statement from the Cameroon FA confirmed the development. In the statement, the FA announced that it is taking steps to replace the cheats.

”The Cameroonian Football Federation informs the 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 in training have failed at the outcome of the MRI tests”, the FA’s statement read.

“They were immediately removed from the group. Steps were immediately taken for their replacement.”

Furthermore, a statement from the FA claimed that FECAFOOT president Samuel Eto’o gave the directive for the conduct of the MRI test with the aim of cleansing Cameroonian football of all forms of age fraud and other scandalous practices.

The FA statement added: “This action is the result of strict instructions given by the President of FECAFOOT acting under the mandate of the COMEX, 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.”