Age fraud in football is not new. Over the years, several players have been accused of lying about their age, either to gain an advantage or due to administrative mistakes. The most recent case involves Youssoufa Moukoko, a Borussia Dortmund player currently on loan at Nice. Officially, Moukoko is 18 years old, but a shocking claim from his father has raised doubts.
🚨😲 Controversy surrounding Youssoufa Moukoko as his alleged father accuses him of lying about his age. He claims Moukoko was born on 19/07/2000, not 20/11/2004, and was made 4 years younger for official registration. pic.twitter.com/sY3boJIlWt
— Maverick Sports Center (@Maverick_SC2020) December 14, 2024
In a documentary aired on German television, Moukoko’s father alleged that his son’s age was falsified. “Youssoufa is not my biological son. He wasn’t born on November 20, 2004, but on July 19, 2000. We made him four years younger,” he said. Dortmund has defended the player, and the case remains unresolved.
Here’s a look at some other infamous age-related controversies in football:
Gourav Mukhi
This Indian footballer made history in October 2018 by becoming the youngest player to debut in the Indian Super League at 16. However, it was later revealed that Mukhi was actually 28 years old. He was banned for six months for lying about his age.
On October 7th, Gourav Mukhi became the youngest goalscorer in the history of the Indian League at just 16 years old.
— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) December 17, 2018
Two months later, the player has been suspended for 6 months for lying about his age. He's actually 28. 😂 pic.twitter.com/FRp3wCSsHm
Joseph Minala
When Joseph Minala joined Lazio as a 17-year-old, his appearance sparked debates in Italy, with rumours claiming he was actually 42 years old. Although these accusations were never proven, the controversy left a lasting impression on his career.
17-year-old Cameroonian Player, Joseph Minala was accused of being 42 years old by a Senegalese website in 2014.
— Africa Facts Zone (@AfricaFactsZone) March 31, 2024
The allegations were found to be false by the Italian FA.
He is said to look older than his age due to the hardship he faced as a kid.
He is currently 27 years old. pic.twitter.com/NHfeJ6ilcL
Obafemi Martins
Nigerian footballer Obafemi Martins faced confusion over his birth year. The Nigerian Football Federation initially listed his birth year as 1978, but Martins insisted he was born in 1984. The federation later corrected the record, but doubts about his true age lingered.
Apoula Edel
The former PSG goalkeeper played with an Armenian passport, claiming he was born in 1986. However, one of his former coaches revealed that Edel had used a fake identity. His real name was Ambroise Beyamela, and he was born in 1981.
These cases highlight how age-related fraud continues to affect football, often casting shadows over the careers of talented players. While some instances arise from administrative errors, others result from intentional deceit, leaving the football world questioning the integrity of player records.