Cameroon’s football federation (Fecafoot) has taken action against a player they fielded in the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year, accusing him of identity fraud by falsifying personal details. Wilfried Nathan Douala, initially included in the country’s squad for the 2023 tournament held in Ivory Coast, is among 62 players suspended due to administrative irregularities, primarily involving double identity and age manipulation.
The decision raises concerns for Cameroon’s future participation in the Africa Cup of Nations, as such actions could potentially lead to sanctions or even a ban from the tournament. The surprise inclusion of Douala, a relatively unknown 17-year-old from Victoria United, a second division club, stirred controversy prior to the Cup of Nations. His lack of prior international experience and questions regarding his age sparked speculation, particularly on social media.
Reports surfaced suggesting Douala had previously competed in the Cameroon league under the name Alexandre Bardelli and was older than initially claimed, with investigations by outlets like the French newspaper Le Monde shedding light on the discrepancies.
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