Wilfried Nathan Douala, the youngest member of Cameroon’s Africa Cup of Nations squad, finds himself embroiled in controversy as he is among 62 players suspended for age fraud.

Douala’s inclusion in Cameroon’s squad earlier this year raised eyebrows, given his lack of caps and his status as a player for Victoria United in Cameroon’s first division.Despite being uncapped, Douala’s registration for the AFCON listed his birthday as May 15, 2006, making him the tournament’s youngest player at 17 years old.

However, Douala now faces suspension after being named on a 62-man list of players accused of falsifying their ages by the Cameroonian Football Federation.

The scandal extends beyond Douala, with 15 clubs in Cameroon having at least one player suspended for age fraud.

Despite not making an appearance during AFCON, Douala was often seen dancing with his teammates on the way to the dressing room.

This isn’t the first time Cameroon has grappled with age fraud allegations.

Last year, 21 members of the country’s 30-player squad failed age tests ahead of the Under-17 AFCON tournament in Algeria.

In response to the recurring issue, Samuel Eto’o, president of Cameroon’s football governing body, mandated age tests for every player to “put an end to the tampering with civil status records which have, in the past, tarnished the image of Cameroon football.”

Age tests involve MRI scans of the wrist to assess bone fusion in the joint, aiming to ensure the accuracy of players’ ages and maintain the integrity of the sport.
AFCON 2023 youngest player Douala faces suspension as age fraud scandal rocks Cameroon squad
AFCON 2023 youngest player Douala faces suspension as age fraud scandal rocks Cameroon squad
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Wilfried Nathan Douala, the youngest member of Cameroon’s Africa Cup of Nations squad, finds himself embroiled in controversy as he is among 62 players suspended for age fraud.

Douala’s inclusion in Cameroon’s squad earlier this year raised eyebrows, given his lack of caps and his status as a player for Victoria United in Cameroon’s first division.

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Despite being uncapped, Douala’s registration for the AFCON listed his birthday as May 15, 2006, making him the tournament’s youngest player at 17 years old.

However, Douala now faces suspension after being named on a 62-man list of players accused of falsifying their ages by the Cameroonian Football Federation.

The scandal extends beyond Douala, with 15 clubs in Cameroon having at least one player suspended for age fraud.

Despite not making an appearance during AFCON, Douala was often seen dancing with his teammates on the way to the dressing room.

This isn’t the first time Cameroon has grappled with age fraud allegations.

Last year, 21 members of the country’s 30-player squad failed age tests ahead of the Under-17 AFCON tournament in Algeria.

In response to the recurring issue, Samuel Eto’o, president of Cameroon’s football governing body, mandated age tests for every player to “put an end to the tampering with civil status records which have, in the past, tarnished the image of Cameroon football.”

Age tests involve MRI scans of the wrist to assess bone fusion in the joint, aiming to ensure the accuracy of players’ ages and maintain the integrity of the sport.

https://www.msn.com/en-xl/sports/football/afcon-2023-youngest-player-douala-faces-suspension-as-age-fraud-scandal-rocks-cameroon-squad/ar-BB1jJPql?ocid=winp2fptaskbarhoverent&cvid=91c699cf11b148fa928b198ac95b0615&ei=15#

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