FIFA Confirms Over Age Players
From Christian Okpara, Abuja

World Football governing body, FIFA, yesterday in Abuja confirmed that there were players over the age limit participating at the on-going Nigeria 2009 Under-17 World Cup.

Speaking during a world press conference at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, FIFA President, Sepp Blatter, said the MRI test conducted on the players at the competition indicated that most of the players were over 17 years, adding that the average age of the teams in Nigeria was 18 years.

He, however, added that FIFA would not take any action against any team for fielding players above 17 years.

He said, "From the medical point of view the MRI test is the best way of finding out the true ages of players in age group competitions. Our organization is based on trust, discipline and respect for the laws of the game.

"We have to trust our national associations to eradicate things like cheating in competitions because at the end of the day the associations stand to gain from doing the right thing. We have started trusting African associations by bringing more competitions to the continent. We in FIFA have confidence in Africa. But if we cannot trust the associations to do things the way they should then we have to look into ways of getting it bright."

Blatter reiterated belief in age group competition serving as the nursery for future international stars, adding that the body would look at the competition properly after Nigeria 2009 with a view to finding a fool proof method of ensuring that every association adhered strictly to the rules.

Blatter disclosed that FIFA held a meeting yesterday where the issue of cheating was discussed, adding that "we are taking the issue to the technical committee to see how we can manage the situation so that it does not disrupt our programmes of development. Our aim is that players will graduate from the under-17 level through under-20 and under23 to the senior cadre. But we need the associations' help in achieving this.

"The issue of over age players is closed; we are not going to look at it again. Countries like Nigeria are responsible for their players and if they have said that all the players are eligible then we will accept their word for that."

Thank you Blatter for your maturity and the love Africa at heart. Now we can have a bumper weekend with double celebration.

Thanks Mr Blatter. However I don't think Nigeria is the only team that fielded over age players.

adejonny:

FIFA Confirms Over Age Players
From Christian Okpara, Abuja

World Football governing body, FIFA, yesterday in Abuja confirmed that there were players over the age limit participating at the on-going Nigeria 2009 Under-17 World Cup.

Speaking during a world press conference at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, FIFA President, Sepp Blatter, said the MRI test conducted on the players at the competition indicated that most of the players were over 17 years, adding that the average age of the teams in Nigeria was 18 years.

He, however, added that FIFA would not take any action against any team for fielding players above 17 years.

He said, "From the medical point of view the MRI test is the best way of finding out the true ages of players in age group competitions. Our organization is based on trust, discipline and respect for the laws of the game.

"We have to trust our national associations to eradicate things like cheating in competitions because at the end of the day the associations stand to gain from doing the right thing. [/b]We have started trusting African associations by bringing more competitions to the continent. We in FIFA have confidence in Africa. But if we cannot trust the associations to do things the way they should then we have to look into ways of getting it bright."

Blatter reiterated belief in [b]age group competition serving as the nursery for future international stars, adding that the body would look at the competition properly after Nigeria 2009 with a view to finding a fool proof method of ensuring that every association adhered strictly to the rules.

Blatter disclosed that FIFA held a meeting yesterday where the issue of cheating was discussed, adding that "we are taking the issue to the technical committee to see how we can manage the situation so that it does not disrupt our programmes of development. Our aim is that players will graduate from the under-17 level through under-20 and under23 to the senior cadre. But we need the associations' help in achieving this.

"The issue of over age players is closed; we are not going to look at it again. Countries like Nigeria are responsible for their players and if they have said that all the players are eligible then we will accept their word for that."

I think the key thing we should look at it what I have highlighted above. These age group competitions serve as a way of raising future stars. It is not a do or die affair and countries like Nigeria must understand this.

Personally, I think if we select the real under aged kids and prepare them for two years, from what I have seen the Pepsi boys play and the skills I have seen displayed at the Shell Cup, I believe we can even do well at competitions.

Source please

Bleep that.CHEATING IS CHEATING. why didnt they allow maradona play on at the 94 world cup and say that they expected him to do d right thing as an adult but since he chose to take drugs then let his concience be the judge. on the contrary they should b more strict at this level cos age cheating defeats d purpose of the competition after spending millions of dollars in organisation. we won this competion 2yrs back and no true star was born as they faded off d scene and this is wat will happen to nthis current team cos they are presently at their peak believe me if they ban Nigeria for lets say 4yrs i.e 2 editions, we'l see the real under 17 in subsequent editions.

A political whitewash.

Case closed!!!

The only thing needed is to make MRI tests obligatory.

NIgeria!!!! wat is between we and cheating? election we cheat, schools (Universities and secondary) we cheat. the question is when will this stop, frankly speaking, this is killing our image / football.

NFF should do something about this,

Nigeria cannot change from the issue of age cheating till the world come to an end.