No age-fudging at U-16 Championship: AFC

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) on Monday said no age-fudging occurred at the ongoing Under-16 Championship due to scientific testing carried out on players.

A total of 98 players from 11 qualifying groups were tested during the Championship qualification round, according to a release.

At the final competition, 20 players who had not taken part in the qualifying round, were also tested and they were found clean.

Speaking about the development, AFC Medical Committee Chairman Gurcharan Singh said: "The AFC takes age-cheating very seriously and has a comprehensive strategy in place to combat it through close monitoring, on-site screening, sanctions, and importantly, education."

"The AFC protocol for MRI scanning was devised by a panel of international experts and is also used by FIFA for the FIFA U-17 tournaments. And thanks to our consistent strategy we are seeing great progress, as witnessed at the ongoing AFC U-16 Championship," he added.

The AFC's strategy to combat age fraud is based on medical tests, extensive document verification and educating players and officials on the issue.

--IANS

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