Why We Should Be Very Worried About Age Fraud in Football

If Manchester City and Manchester United's academies can sign multiple footballers who lied about their age, no club at the elite level is safe.

Both Manchester clubs – global giants of the Premier League – now face controversy over the ages of several academy prospects. Evidence has emerged that six foreign-born players in their youth ranks – three of whom even played for England’s youth teams – may be older than officially registered, possibly even adults.

Photographs reportedly show each of these players competing in far older age groups in their homelands than their stated birthdates would allow​.

Such allegations are rare at this level. But the question must be asked: This isn’t about cheating at U17 tournaments or in lower leagues anymore. It’s about whether the Premier League and its clubs are vulnerable to the same systemic failures that have long haunted less-resourced federations.