CAF U17 AFCON: CAF goes tough on age cheat with new MRI rules
If after performing the eligibility test (MRI) for a participating team and our (4) or more of its players are found ineligible, the participating team will be disqualified.
By Olusola Adebayo
The Confederation of Africa Football CAF has declared total war on age cheating as the commencement of the 2023 U17 Africa Cup of Nations draws nearer.
To curb age cheating during the cadet competition CAF has set out disqualification the entire team if four or more players failed an MRI scan at the upcoming 2023 U17 Africa Cup of Nations.
This was part of the amended TotalEnergies U17 Africa Cup of Nations Regulations on MRI as approved by CAF Executive Committee after a recommendation by the CAF Youth Organizing Committee and CAF Medical Organizing Committee to amend Article 27 of the TotalEnergies U17 Africa Cup of Nations Regulations
The approved Regulation: Article 27 now reads:
27.1 For the qualifying phase, eligibility compulsorily compulsory is performed for all the participating teams before the start of the matches.
27.2 The test will be performed according to CAF Protocol in a health facility duly centered center where there is an MRI apparatus (Magnetic Resonance Imaging).
27.3 CAF reserve the right to make the eligibility test (MRI) as well during the final phase for the twelve teamsforrualified to the tournament. The cost of th that will be covered by CAF.
27.4. If after performing the eligibility test (MRI) for a participating team andf our (4) or more of its players are found ineligible, the participating team will be disqualified.
27.5. If after performing an MRI test for a participating team and one (1), two (2) or three (3) of its players are found ineligible, the said player(s) will not be allowed to participate in the competition. The concerned team will be allowed to participate in the competition but is not authorized to replace the ineligible player(s).
27.6. The following procedures shall be followed:
(i) All participating teams are expected to arrive five (5) days before the start of the competition. The host association shall cover the related costs.
(ii) The participating teams may be subjected to MRI tests, to be conducted at the earliest five (5) days before the start of the competition. CAF reserves the right to conduct an MRI Test at any time before or during the competition.
(iii) Any request for a second reading for a player found to be ineligible shall be addressed to CAF by email no later than 3 hours following notification of the outcome of the first reading.’’
This modification comes into effect from the date of notification of this decision and will be applied in the final tournament of the TotalEnergies U17 Africa Cup of Nations, Algeria 2023.
Nigeria and the other 11 teams will be participating in the competition which is due for kick-off by April 29th when the top 3 finishers will qualify for the FIFA U17 World Cup later in the year.
