The ‘Mukhi case’ could convict Moukoko

The German newspaper Bunte published this Friday an alleged birth certificate of Youssoufa Moukokoa Borussia Dortmund player, proving to be the Cameroonian player he is 22 years old and not 18, as the forward ensures. Until now, the date of birth of the German nationalized attacker was November 20, 2004. However, the document provided by Bunte sets the date of birth as July 19, 2000.

Moukoko, the official youngest player to participate in the past Qatar World Cup, where he went as part of the German expedition, is now pending a investigation that the validity and authenticity of the documents published by the Bunte should be determined. and exposed to a possible punishment, in view of other precedents, which could leave him without playing for several months.

Gaurav Mukhi, Indian footballer, is the protagonist of a case similar to Moukoko’s. The striker made history in October 2018 by becoming jyoungest player to score a goal in his country’s Super League, defending the colors of Jamshedpur FC led by Spaniard César Ferrando. In 16 years he broke the record for scoring precocity in the Asian giant.

But… Every good story has a ‘but’. And it is allowed to discover that the 16 years of Mukhi they are actually 28. Four years ago, the striker played for his country’s under 15 team… with 24 ‘tacos’!

The Indian Federation, in December 2018, closed a investigation (Opened as a result of the dissemination of his photo receiving the award for being the youngest goalscorer, a photo depicting this information) about his real age punishing him with six months suspension. There is no record that any other international football organization has applied any sanction to it.

We need to see if the German Federation act, if Moukoko’s fraud is confirmed, act with vigor like his Indian counterpart or choose to look the other way, leaving the case a mere anecdote.