Underage African Footballers Reportedly 'Trafficked' To Laos, BBC Investigation Finds

African footballers as young as 14 are reportedly "being trafficked to Asia and forced to sign contracts," according to Piers Edwards of the BBC. A BBC investigation found that 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." 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." In a "clear breach" of FIFA's rules, the club "has fielded overseas players as young as 14 and 15 in league games this season." One 14-year-old player, Liberia's Kesselly Kamara, said that he was "forced into signing a six-year deal before playing for the senior team." His contract "promised him a salary and accommodation, but Kamara says he was never paid and had to sleep on the floor of the club's stadium" -- as did the rest of the traveling party (BBC, 7/21).