Underage African footballers 'trafficked' to Laos

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Underage African footballers 'trafficked' to Laos

By Piers Edwards

BBC Africa sport

LAOS:-- African footballers as young as 14 are being trafficked to Asia and forced to sign contracts, the BBC has learnt.

Six minors are still with top Laos side Champasak United, after it imported 23 under-age players from West Africa to an unregistered football academy in February, a BBC investigation found.

Fifa regulations prohibit the movement of players to a foreign club or academy until they are 18.

The club, based in the southern city Pakse, denies any wrongdoing.

"Fifa is in contact with several member associations in order to gather all information to assess the matter and safeguard the interests of the minors," a Fifa spokesperson told the BBC.

Read more: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-33595804

[Borzandy]

"The club, based in the southern city Pakse, denies any wrongdoing." and in another country, Steve Blatter denies any corruption....nice football planet.

[Sooo Upto Me]

"The club, based in the southern city Pakse, denies any wrongdoing." and in another country, Steve Blatter denies any corruption....nice football planet.

I think u mean SEPP Blatter. Don't worry I will keep quiet b4 all the other TV members jump on the bandwagon.

[Ulic]

Sign all the contracts you want, they will not be recognized as valid if signed with a minor.

[FangFerang]

It never gets weird enough for me.