Nigerian football "is in a state of shock after an astonishing 26 players failed age tests" carried out ahead of a U17 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, according to a report. Africanfootball.com reported that a mandatory MRI screening carried out on 60 eligible players "showed almost half were ineligible to play." The existing first XI was "far more badly hit, however, with only two players passing the MRI test -- an astonishing blow for a squad which won the FIFA U17 World Cup last year for a record fifth time." MRI tests have been used for several years to "prevent age fraud in football, and are considered 99% accurate up to the age of 17." A Nigerian official said, "It is a disaster" (EUROSPORT, 8/4).
Scottish Championship side Hibernian Manager Neil Lennon has vowed to "vigorously" challenge his five-match UEFA ban after "being shocked" by the charge. He was handed the additional suspension on top of the automatic one-match touchline ban he served "after being sent to the stand during his team's 1-0 defeat by Brondby at Easter Road last month." Lennon had protested toward the assistant referee from his dugout following a disallowed goal before being dismissed by the official. But the UEFA charge read "acts of violence against the referee" (Scotland DAILY RECORD, 8/4).
