The BBC has reported that African footballers as young as 14 are being trafficked to Asia and forced to sign contracts. According to the findings, 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.
This development runs contrary to FIFA regulations which prohibits the movement of players to a foreign club or academy until they are 18. However, the club based in the southern city of 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.
The findings further claimed that Champasak United, a newly-formed club, which plays in Laos’s top league, intends to profit by selling the players in future.
