Jamshedpur FC Player Gourav Mukhi Faces Six-Months’ Suspension For Age Fraud

All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) disciplinary committee has handed the Indian Super League team Jamshedpur FC’s player Gourav Mukhi, a six-month suspension, effective immediately for discrepancies in his registered age, Times of India reports.

Based on the evidence presented by the player, his admissions and statement of the U-16 AIFF manager in 2015, Mukhi was found guilty by the committee. Furthermore, the National football bodies disciplinary committee has stated his existing registration in the Central Registration System (CRS) and the Competition Management System (CMS) will be cancelled and revoked with immediate effect.

However, the disciplinary committee has given liberty upon the player or his club, to submit the original valid, appropriate documents so that he can avail a new registration under both the CRS and CMS.

Mukhi came into the limelight of media and fans across the nation when he scored the first equaliser during the 2-2 draw against Bengaluru FC in the ongoing season of the ISL. The ISL then claimed he became the youngest player ever, at the age of 16 to score in the history of the tournament.

This is not the first time when Mukhi has been in the controversy. He was earlier caught during a national championship in 2015, resulting in a suspension for the Jharkhand coach for a year and a fine of rupees one lakh on the association.

Age fraud in sports has been a rising issue in Indian Football, with Livemint earlier reporting age fraud in almost every stage of Indian youth football. Despite various regulations and policies, players manage to make fake birth certificates and gain unfair advantages in sports.