Yaffa'cing fraud
Age fraud in football has reared its [old] head once again, following the summons of former AC Milan player Yusupha Yaffa to court in Italy after he allegedly lied about his age.
The Italian club, who signed Yaffa as a youth player in 2013, is bringing the suit after the footballer claimed he was 16-years-old, when in fact his real age would have been 25, according to revelations on his Facebook page.
Reports in Italy claim the Gambian national told immigration officials in 2009 that he was born on 31 December 1996, instead of 14 November 1987.
Yaffa has denied the charge, attributing the misinformation to losing his identity papers during his registration.
Now the 19-year-old - or 28, depending on who you believe - plays his football in Germany but will have to return to Italy to face the charge.
Should the allegations be proven, Yaffa will be tried in the regular criminal court instead of a juvenile one, where the maximum age for those prosecuted is 25.
Italy is no stranger to suspected cases of age fraud in the beautiful game. In 2014, the Italian Football Association had to confirm that then 17-year-old Cameroon international and Lazio player Joseph Minala was not, in fact, 42 years young.
Europe has attracted African players for many years, mainly because of the financial security on offer. Clubs also see the benefit, with African players known for their technical and physical prowess and cheap price tag.
With thousands of African players being picked up by European clubs every year, will we see more cases like Yaffa’s popping up?
