Age cheating has been an unfortunate fact in international youth football. Thankfully, random MRI wrist scans, which started in 2009, have made it difficult in the men's u17 and u20 age groups.
However, wrist scans are not yet widespread in the women's game, partly because the reliability of the test has not yet been fully determined with female players.
The lack of consistant testing in the women's game has lead to some to raise questions about the legitimacy of some teams competing at the current FIFA u17 World Cup in Azerbaijan. In particular, the Nigerian team is being accused of using at least one overage player, captain Victoria Aidelomon.
Nigeria drew Canada 1-1 in the group stage and are one of the favourites to win the championship.
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It's now known that age cheating was widespread in Nigeria prior to the implantation of age scans in 2009. In fairness, lack of reliable birth records does make age verification difficult in some parts of the world, including parts of Africa. However, there is also compelling evidence that suggests that certain countries were willfully dressing older players in an effort to gain a competitive advantage.
Today on the popular social media website Reddit.com screen captures of Aidelomon's sister's Facebook were posted. Those captures show the sister, Esther, referring to Victoria as her older sister on two occasions.
Esther Aidelomon is 19.
You can see the screen capture here.
A screen capture of another sibling of Victoria was also posted. Blessing Aidelomon is also described as a younger sibling. She graduated university in 2000.
CSN has contacted both the CSA and FIFA to determine what provisions are in place to ensure that all players at the u17 World Cup are younger than 17. The CSA responded, but referred CSN to speak to FIFA. CSN will update when they respond.
FIFA has yet to respond.