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FIFA regulations forbid the move of any player to a foreign club or academy before they reach the age of 18. However, a BBC report has alleged that African footballers – some as young as 14 – are being trafficked to Asia.
The report cited Champasak United, a top side from Laos, who have illegally signed players on a contract with an unregistered academy. The indication is that the club from the city ‘Pakse’ intends to profit from the sale of these African players.
The club reportedly signed 23 underage players to the unregistered body.
A FIFA spokesperson denied any wrongdoing, he said: “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.”
Poor conditions
A 14-year-old Liberian player Kesselly Kamara insisted that he was forced to sign a six-year contract before he could play with the first team. Moreover, he relayed the poor living condition that the players have had to endure. Kamara says the players had to sleep on the floor in a room and remained unpaid despite the promise of a salary and accommodation in the contract.
His description of the room further exemplifies the sub-standard conditions. He said the room had windows without a glass on them and doors with no locks. “It was very bad because you can't have 30 people sleeping in one room,” he said.
All the players signed contracts with IDSEA Champasak Asia African Football Academy on invitation from former Liberian international Alex Karmo. Since their arrival, 17 players have been released but 6 chose to stay back.
“Nobody is illegal,” says Karmo
The group that represents international footballers, FIFPro says the players who stayed back have signed contracts given to them by Champasak United president Phonesavanh Khieulavong and Alex Karmo.
On the contracts, Karmo said: “We don't give the [minors] professional contracts, just a contract that gives them bonuses.
“Nobody is illegal. Everybody is legal.”
He also insisted that the players were fed three times a day and paid every month, while failing to deny the presence of underage players.
The players’ problems may be compounded due to the fact that having travelled in February to Laos, their visas expired in March. It restricts their freedom of movement and the possiblity of obtaining work permits for them is slim because they are underage.
FIFPro's reaction
While one of the players who left the club compared his time there to slave work, Liberian journalist Wleh Bedell called their condition "deplorable and disturbing".
Bedell added: “Players are in this wild place that is reminiscent of the civil crisis in Liberia when people left their homes and were displaced, [taking shelter] in a makeshift building or auditorium.”
FIFPro also reacted to the situation, Stephane Burchkalter from the organisation deemed it a “very serious situation.”
She also said: “It is shocking to FIFPro that a club from Laos, which - with all due respect - is a very small football country, can lure minor players from Liberia without FIFA noticing.”
A FIFPro statement also noted that this is the "tip of the iceberg”.
