Several foreign-born Manchester United and Manchester City academy players have been accused of allegedly lying about their ages. Six footballers who moved to the UK in recent years are facing allegations suggesting they are actually years older than they claim to be, with fears they could even be old enough to be classed as ‘adults’. An investigation from The Telegraph claims three of the players have featured for England at youth level, with photos allegedly appearing to show the unnamed trio playing with older age groups back in their native countries.
Concerns were raised by parents whose children attended the Manchester clubs’ academies before the new pieces of alleged evidence arose. The matter had previously been reported to the safeguarding teams at the Football Association and Premier League, but the youngsters have continued to play for both club and country. The sextet had been playing in the UK for ‘years’ before the astonishing allegations came to light. However, the publication opted to conceal their identities as the photographs and other items do not prove their stated ages are false. There is also no suggestion that United or City ‘knowingly enabled’ this to happen, but the two Premier League clubs have been made aware of the issue.
Under the Nationality and Borders Act 2022, age verification tests can be carried out on those ‘subject to immigration control’ upon entry into the UK. According to the Home Office guidance, it includes those who “do not have sufficient evidence to demonstrate their age, and either their claim to be children is doubted or they claim to be adults but are suspected to be children”.
A source cited in the report claimed that the FA and Premier League rely on the Home Office to determine the validity of an academy player’s age when reviewing registration applications and that it was ‘not appropriate’ for either organisation to require academy players to undergo verification for their age.
FIFA regulations prohibit clubs from signing players under the age of 18 from some countries, such as Argentina or Brazil. For example, Chelsea paid £34million to sign Estevao Willian, 17, from Palmeiras but the youngster cannot join the club until after his 18th birthday on April 17.
In United and City’s case, if it was proven that the players were minors at the time of signing, it could open them up to facing a litany of potential legal issues.
A United statement read: “We are committed to operating all aspects of our academy within the rules and regulations laid down by our governing bodies, including in the recruitment and registration of players. We take our responsibilities for player wellbeing and safeguarding very seriously.
“Indeed, we take pride in the reputation we have developed for considering the participants in our programmes as first and foremost children, rather than players. Our recruitment process is focused firmly on future potential rather than current performance or physical development.”
City are said to be ‘confident’ they have followed their obligations when signing youth players from abroad. The report adds both clubs declined to comment when asked if they would take action should they be found to have breached the rules.