Age-limited spot has long been limited by the veracity of birth certificates but MR imaging appears to provide a safe, reliable way of levelling the playing field. This blog post contains an article from the African press providing the background, MR images of a young, and mature, wrist, and a photo of the team that has provided the science that underpins this new policy.

Fifa’s Age-Check Technology Can End This Charade

All Africa, 02 Sep 2009

You have to imagine that several soccer bosses across the continent wet themselves senseless after football governing body Fifa announced this week that new technological advancements would make it possible to determine the ages of players who will be taking part at the Under-17 Soccer World Cup in Nigeria next month.

Tests will be conducted on players from the 24 competing nations with a new bone magnetic resonance imaging scanner that will accurately determine their ages. This bit of news should have been enough to make many stomachs turn, and several teams will no doubt suddenly undergo major personnel changes in the weeks before the start of the October 24-November 15 junior tournament. Read full article…

Related Articles:

Is MRI the beginning of wisdom for NFF? (234next.com)

Coach claims age cheating rampant in Cecafa U-17 (nation.co.ke)

Nigeria: ‘Probe Under-17 Team Age Scandal’ – I Warned The Country Against Age Cheat – Adamu

(www.allafrica.com)

NFF To Dare FIFA On Bone Test Policy (thisdayonline.com)

At Last NFF Admits 15 Failed MRI Test (234next.com)