Cameroon suspends AFCON star, 61 others over age fraud
The Cameroonian Football Federation (FECAFOOT) has suspended 62 players for age fraud, including the youngest member of their squad for January’s African Cup of Nations, reports dailymail.co.uk.
The official list was released by FECAFOOT this weekend, and includes 17-year-old Wilfried Nathan Douala, who was a surprise inclusion in Rigobert Song’s squad for the tournament in Cote d’Ivoire.
According to FECAFOOT, the Victoria United skipper lied about his age, and that, therefore, have disqualified the player from appearing in the Elite League’s play-off games.
Douala’s real age hasn’t been disclosed, but he joins 61 other players who have also been suspended for concealing their ages.
The move comes as FECAFOOT aim to resolve the administrative issues previously faced during and after the end of the Cameroonian football season. Song was praised for spotting Douala playing in the domestic league, and was the shock inclusion in his squad for the tournament.
However, the midfielder failed to get on the pitch during the finals as Cameroon were knocked out in the last 16 by eventual finalists, Nigeria.