Bolivian TV network El Deportivo TV have published exclusive documents which suggest potential Arsenal signing Samuel Galindo is an ‘age cheat’. They say the Bolivia youth team captain is 20-years-old, not 17 as previously touted.
The network shows what they claim is Samuel’s correct passport, not a fake which was allegedly shown to officials at the Under 17 World Cup earlier this year after questions were raised by competing teams. The hosts, Nigeria, had 11 players in a 25 man squad fail bone tests in what proved to be one of the biggest attempts to field ineligible players in youth sport. Should the evidence be found to be 100% accurate, Galindo’s transfer to Arsenal may still be in doubt.
The passport picture – Here – clearly shows a picture of Samuel as a youngster with the birth date of 18 April 1989, making him 20 and about to turn 21 in just over two months time. The passport shown to officials at the World Cup lists the central midfielder as born on 18 April 1992. El Deportivo have dismissed the latter as false, just like they did with one of Samuel’s international colleagues, Carlos Castro. They published information which proved Castro was lying about his age, but the Bolivian federation ignored the pleas of the network for an investigation.
Now president of the ANF, Jorge Justiniano, will collaborate with the news agency in a mass inquiry to stop the adulteration of some players registered in the Bolivian Soccer Federation, and to clear up any anomalies.
More news is expected shortly.
Article By – J.Sanderson
this is messed up….!
Thought these rumours may have been true. It would appear he aint as big a prospect as first thought if true.
O well, 20/21 is still young, and we still may sign him.
But Adebayor is 30 and Toure about 34 and we still signed them age cheats.
If he’s lying about his age by 3 years, then he is 3 times worse than he seems.
If he has that much talent, irrespective of his age he should be signed. Wenger is clearly impressed with this lad.
Thats better coz it means he is ready 4 first team football n atleast we know his actual age,Roney is 27.ESSIEN 30.Robben 28,so whats tha big deal
essentially, the test is comparing with other 20 year olds and see if is still worth signing. so we looking at him being as good as Vela or else NOT GOOD enuff, if the accusation is true. but myt not be signed even if he is good on the basis of the whole principle deception by massaging his age
Age shouldn’t matter – if you’re good enough you’re old enough.
Depends if this shenanigans will cause work permit issues.
I have seen a long video of this young man, in my humble opinion it doesn’t make that much of a difference he is still a wonderful prospect at 17 or 20. He is tall and strong and abundance of technical talent. He evaluation regardless of his age is fantastic.
I say to Mr. Wenger still sign him. He is worth it.
Really hope this isn’t true! Thought we had a huge prospect there, but looks now that isn’t the case. Wonder what Wenger will make of it, if the allegations get proved to be true?? And J, I think you have it wrong when you say the passport shown at the World Cup had the year 1994, that would make him 15, and not 17. Should of been 1992 I guess.
Rooney took a picture with my pals dad in 1974
But Adebayor is 30 and Toure about 34 and we still signed them age cheats.
Francis said this on January 19, 2010 at 4:54 am
Thats better coz it means he is ready 4 first team football n atleast we know his actual age,Roney is 27.ESSIEN 30.Robben 28,so whats tha big deal
Phinny said this on January 19, 2010 at 5:31 am
I’ve never heard that. Who told you this? What’s the proof?
And someone born in 94 would be 15 in the last U-17 WC, not 17.
I dont care abt his age as far as the guy his a good player…alot of player from Africa reduce thair age…eg Adebayor, Toure, Yobo, Lucina taore, Essien.
Take a look at the passport !!! I don’t think any of us will have a picture for his passport taken from an after match interveiw !!!
This picture is clearly made by photoshop !!!
Also I don’t think that arsene is stubid to buy that !!!
That looks fake. Don’t you have to have both ears showing in a passport photo?
I think I am right in saying that all passport photos are taken from the front?
Also, this is probably bollocks. Arsenal would have researched and medically checked this kid 100% before singing him.
That picture is 100% fake. You must show a full frontal facial profile in all passports.
Well what happened to you are looking for headlines? These type of stories comes out only once player sign for big club and you need to first research your stories before going public with the. It look someone who is jealous managed to fool Bolivian TV who are simply looking to cash in without looking at the story itself, The facts Nigerians have committed wide fraud in youth World cup has nothing to do with these boy. Sorry but that real low of you. Also are you Arsenal supporter? or Everton? cause they and someone in Bolivia are most likely culprit in running these story.
I agree with haho. Arsenal would of done thorough checks on this kid. This sort of thing happens all the time in football from lesser countries.
Anyone else hear that flamini is going to MANCHESTER CITY!!!
BLOODY MUG!!
They dont even need him!! BLOODY MUGS!!
In hearts there is a Ugandan player called Obua. His passport says 24 but I was3 years below him in high school. Am now 28 but he is suddenly younger than me? Aint that something.
if he’s 21 and as good as cesc fabregas then sign him, and loaned him to la liga club as vela did. but i didn’t believe he’s that good enough. anyone have a video clip while he play football?
Lol i thought that it was only Nigerian football player who lied about there age these days double Lol.
first of all there would have to be corruption or at least a break of confidentiality for a TV channel to get access to a passport. So any assumption is premature, as more proof would have to be given. I am certain as well Arsenal could call the deal off if there are falsifying documents involved.
It’s not inconceivable that this story is true. Remember the whole Silvinho affair when we were duped into believing a fake passport and then had to ship him out the club pronto when we discovered this
#
I dont care abt his age as far as the guy his a good player…alot of player from Africa reduce thair age…eg Adebayor, Toure, Yobo, Lucina taore, Essien.
Don said this on January 19, 2010 at 6:32 am
Yes, Cesc is also 15 and Wilshire is -4 ;)
You all seem to be missing the point, if and i mean IF, the fella is lying and has false documents, then he should not be allowed into our country. We have enough problems with trying to bring legal immigrants, to the UK, let alone illegal immgration. Why we cannot step up our scouting network to find more talent at home is beyond me, it is clearly out there.
…we signed Kanu…
In the poorer African countries you can get away with it because there is no legal system documenting child birth so when you request a passport you just state your own date of birth and it cant be validated.
Eto’o is another one. In a interview/book he says he remembers playing football with some Famous international player (name escapes me) at a certain period in time – Going on his passport age he would have been 2.
bc, why don’t you join national front. football has no nationality or religion if you are good you can play anywhere.
@ bc “Why we cannot step up our scouting network to find more talent at home is beyond me, “. What makes you think this isn`t been done? If the “home talents” are good enough, they will be found! Anyways as we all know, Wenger looks at ability not where you are from (unfortunately for some!).
His age cheat has nothing to do with Arsenal signing him and again who told them that 3 years age cheat can deprive any one from playing good football: Look at Pires today, is he not playing good football even at the age of 36, their govt should go and think of a way to improve their economy.
This is a lie!
Look at the passport picture, it is doctored.
They have taken his head from another picture, he is not even facing the camera head on.
A picture like that would be rejected by any passport agency, you have to look head on in passport pictures.
Edu all over agin
saying that the powers of be allways run a strict rule over players from abroad
Why would they claim such a thing,these people are just cunts,what are they trying to achieve
bc are you a total moron? our yoof cup winning team was mostly made up of ENGLISH players. there is a 90 min travel rule in England which prohibits us form looking for English players beyond that. hence us looking for talent aborad and the fact that there not many technically gifted players being produced in england. we have more English players in our academy then any otehr PL team. its stupid igonorant fans like you that piss me off
bc you are talking absolute rubbish. You should go support Blackburn
The people who say that age does not matter is completly missing the point. imagine how good Song, Vela, Walcott would look playing with the under 17’s??? If he is chating his age that is probably an indication that he is not good enough for his own age group, why else lie?
Altough the passport does look fake. The picture is a bit dodgy. Im quite sure you have to have a white background and the face has to look straight at the camera
leave the boy to have what he thinks is right for him this is because when we follow up players years we may not Enjoy soccer and is not the frist player to lie age in the world.so let’s give them their chance to do what they think is good for them.
This has been going on at third world countries for yonks
we all know that kanu is now really about 56.
The 89 figure doesn’t look align like other figures in that pictures. It is clearly photoshop!!
Arse&Nose, Unfortunately passport agencies all over the world accept documents that are fake and photos far worse this, i should know i work in immigration. Thenry – not sure who is the moron YOOF is definitely spelt Youth and when you say aborad you probably mean abroad, though i doubt you have ever been. If i am stupid and ignorant (at least you spelt that right) i am glad i piss you off. Its Cunts like you, (that dont have a fucking clue) that give me such good reason to come on these blogs. Sure there are lots of “English Players” in our set up, but less than 50% were born in the UK. As an ex-part-time scout i can tell you the 90 min rule, is there but never applied, rules are there to be broken look at the passport fiascos over Sylvinho, Danelviscius, Paulinho, Juan and there has been more. Jonathan – like to know where i am talking “rubbish” and why on earth would i go and support Blackburn.
Fido – The white background certainly applies for UK passports, but should see some of the other countries passports, i have seen passport photos that would just crack you up. One i saw had another person in the background!! lol
i dont see how this kid could get away withlying about his age, surely his managers and players and friends in the past must know his real age, and it would of come out already!!!
LOL, Yet more votes for the BNP after this fiasco.
This is bad. If there is proof that he did cheat, he shouldn’t come. He isn’t good enough right now if he is 20 on 21. We have players in our own youth setup who are as good as he is if he is 20/21.
I( shouldn’t say he isn’t good enough, but it certainly would put a damper on my excitement regarding his transfer to Arsenal. And from what little I have seen, it would change my valuation of him for the negative. And anyways, it’s cheating.
I think BC is full of shit. Probably another spotting teenager thinking he can talk bollocks and then when challenged, make something up. Ex scout and works in immigration? Twat. Also becoming anal retentive over a few words isn’t something grown-ups tend to do, son.
d – only responding to being called a moron, stupid and an idiot, without good reason. No-one challenged me and i have made nothing up. Twat and Son! who is anal retentive? The spots cleared up in the 1970’s not long after i see us lift our first double, have you even seen one yet? Dont be a little wanker all your life and read my first post, absolutely nothing derogatory with what i said and no need for the tirade i got from a few imbeciles. Roll on Wednesday!!
d – BTW its spotty not spotting!! lol
Ade 32
Toure 34
Essien 30
Song 26
Eboue 32
Kanu 39
Martins 33
On and on, its a cliche in Africa. African players often cheat to gain a chance for a contract. Its known here but Europe is not aware. Its often amusing to hear that Song is 23?
Noted why Ade is lazy, can’t run anymore? Cheating in age so do Toure recent dip in form
How can you really prove a persons real age. I hope this is not true. http://bobbygee.wordpress.com/
For those who say it doesn’t matter, a good player is a good player – it matters to the price. A young player with 1st team level skills is way more valuable as there is more room to grow, more potential and that comes with a premium attached. So if it is true that the boy has lied about his age, the transfer fee should be adjusted downwards. We should still bring the lad in, but I think it’s warranted to ask for a reduction in price.
Well I guess I will have to compare this guy with 20-22 year olds then. If so… he doesn’t look awful good to me.
Conner wickham ipswich town 16 6ft 3 I dnt hear any 1 questing his parents so y shud dey question Galindo.
He can’t be born in 1994, because then he would be 16…..
The article makes no sense at all. I thought his camp are saying that he is 17 but you state that they tried to fake a passport that says he is born in 94 which would be 15. I will admit when I first heard about this signing I tried googling him and found this…http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Galindo. Its in spanish but list him being born in 89.
About the Nigerian age cheating being one of the biggest attempts at age cheating. It is common knowledge that African teams have been age cheating in youth tourneys since they began. Why do you think they always do so well in youth tourneys but in the world cup, the do poor.
Zed-gonner- Conner Wickham was born in a country that has a reliable system when it comes to tracking births. Alot of poor countries are not as efficient at this.
I am sure Wenger will be asked if this is true or not. Also I am sure our doctors chcked him and will probably do it again after such rumours.
I would be suprised if Arsenal didnt have him take the mri wrist scan to prove his age, if they suspected anything.
Sure there are lots of “English Players” in our set up, but less than 50% were born in the UK. according to bc.
How did you calculate that, Emmanuel Frimpong is born in Ghana but all other “English” players seem to be born in, yes, that’s right, England. Or did you mean that we have players that are born in England but with an ancestry that is not Saxon, Norman or Celtic? Because I’m sure you’re not mistaking some players skin colour as being the same as being non-english, or?
This African point is getting played out tho…Look lets be honest, most of the African players are able to keep playing at a high level even into there “football ages” of 30s. Their bodies just seem to be able to keep up with the physical demands. With an exception of Kanu. (I just know someone was going to say his name). Comparing this kid to African players is a really bad point so stop using it.
http://www.imscouting.com/global-news-article/Chelsea-offer-mega-money-for-Canales-Arsenal-the-preferred-choice-for-his-father/5122/
I suggested we might sign this guy about 7 articles ago.
Oba Martins, looks well older, however , some of these players just have aged faces, and are actually the age they claim
to shane: I think if WEnger is interested we have good cards. But if the lad doesnt want to leave spain he will end up at RM with loaning him back to Santander. Wenger ruled him out but you know him. He is a cunning fox.
I still don’t understand how people reported him as 17 if he was born in 1994 in March or if he was born in 1989. Either way he would not be 17? So why was it reported as 17.
BC the MORON
your inability to comprhend the term “YOOF” shows you must be OLD CUNT!
Wenger says he never looks at passports, your refernce to
“Sure there are lots of “English Players” in our set up, but less than 50% were born in the UK” sounds rather RASICT to me. do you only want WHITE players born in England at Arsenal?
you are a TOTAL WANKER and as for you being a scout more like a BOY SCOUT you muppet, fuk off and support another club you RACIST CUNT!!! we dont want fans like you at Arsenal.
Didn’t Alex Song play for France’s U16s with Nasri?
Don’t you think they would have the appropriate tests?
I don’t think all the African players mentioned have falsified passports or documents claiming they are a certain age when they are older. Song’s progression and growth is congruent to a player of his age. Just look at the way Diaby and him have progressed. Song is a year younger than Diaby but you get what im saying right?? Some yes, but Adebayor looks his age and so does Essien. At least in my eyes they do. I suppose everyone has their own opinion concerning how old these players look to be. Kanu is a different story lol. If Wenger is still interested regardless of his true age or all these reports, then I figure this guy must have a lot going for him right?? And if the MRI on his wrist proves that he is as young as he claims then we got nothing to worry about. I look older than my age but i’m still 20 going on 21. I’m not 30. lol
why are people listing ages on here with no facts its pointless.and boring
Where have these rumors about Song being 26 come from? So was he that bad at 23-24 and then turned awesome at 25? Might happen, who knows. But remember that he moved to France at the age of 8, if he was 12 at the time it would be hard to say you are 8. Plus, his mother didn’t want him to play football so there would have been no incentive in that direction. Most of these cases are accidental anyway or initiated by coaches/agents.
One who almost certainly was an age-cheat is Freddy Adu, and Obafemi Martins probably is as well. Wenger does such an extensive research on his players that he must know if Song is older than he says he is.
Freddy Adu is a case of age cheating. Thats why he has developed at all since he made his debut at 14 in mls. He looks the exact same as he did then. He was born in Ghana tho. The age cheating in Africa is to the point where Fifa should require every single player to have the mri test done as soon as they register under a professional club or youth international.
Why do you think they always do so well in youth tourneys but in the world cup, the do poor.
a good question to pose but lets not forget that most of the world cup winners have some serious resources or have been involved in the tournoment from way back so they have history and experience. Also consideriing some african countries are 3rd world countries they some disadvantages
geeGunner…..Those same issues face them in youth tourneys. It is simple, AGE CHEATING.
Plus it isnt like Brazil is the riches country in the world.
I believe there is age cheating, but before everyone points the finger and shouts AGE CHEATING at every young player we or any other club sign, that is born outside of Britain, extensive research really has to be done. I’m not gonna jump to conclusions about an individual whom I have never seen or met. We have no idea what could TRULY be going on in Africa or Asia or South America regarding these kids. In some cases it is obvious that cheating has ocurred. But if it can’t be proven, or if there is just as much evidence in favour of the player, then you can’t say it is cheating. And whomever starts these claims should be sued or taken to court for trying to undermine the player. It’s stupid.
Theres no proof to say adu is an age cheat. lack of development isnt a good enough reason to say that. That can be attributed to the fact he was playing pro wayyyy too early and his growth stunted and subsequent bad moves havnt helped.
He’s a year older than me and i remember when DC United came to Jamaica to play Harbour View and i got his autograph. He was prolly like 16/17 back then and he looked like a 12 yr old compared to me. and im no age cheat lol
Milo…No, it is stupid that such a great number of players do age cheat. 11 players got caught age cheating from Nigerias team and that was the first time they did these tests. That is ridiculous. Dont be mad at the people that question the legitimacy of players. Be mad at the enormous amount of players that are age cheating. To not question would just be ignorant and would be exactly what players that cheat would want and players that arent cheating have nothing to worry about. It is like the steroid era in baseball. We all look stupid to not have questioned the legitimacy of players like Mark Mcgwire and Barry Bonds.
http://twitter.com/johncrossmirror
confirmed that the second passport, the 89 one, is a hoax. Good reporting, J, but you might have realised that this sort of documentary is ‘crap’ as we call it.
is it me or was there age issues with edu and slyvinho? i may be wrong?….also the african thing is widely accepted in world football i think mainly because african players get away with it due to they,re physical shape..ie ROGER MILLA!ha…i dont understand why we,re buying this player anyway..theres no room for him we shud just get wellington and zezhino then concerntrate on proven players for a couple of years and let everyone else develope
Esteban…trust me Adu is age cheating. I got plenty of friends that played with him in the youth national team down in florida. Plus it isnt that his footballing skills havent developed,…IT IS THAT HIS BODY HASNT DEVELOPED SINCE HE WAS 13. Come on man, have we as a public gone so blind and scared that we will deny the obvious. Which is exactly what people that cheat want us to do.
Arsenal Under-18s have already lost twice to Ipswich this term; in pre-season and 3-2 away in the Academy League. It looks like Roarie Deacon, Chucks Aneke and Luke Freeman will start up-front and the former two each have 11 goals already this season. 0 mins And for Arsenal it’s a fairly strong starting XI. ARSENAL TEAM IN FULL: Dunn, Hajrovic, Evina (c), Miquel, Boateng, Frimpong, Ozyakup, Afobe, Deacon, Aneke, Freeman. SUBS: Yennaris, McDermott, Byles, Obed, Meade 0 mins I’ve just been handed a team sheet and the big news for visitors Ipswich is that they line-up without 16-year-old striker Connor Wickham. He’s reportedly been attracting interest from a number of Premier League clubs but won’t be involved tonight. Ipswich team in full: Ranieri, Bennett, Dunbar, Meekings, Eastman, Hyam, Clark, Cawley, Lavery, Murray, Carson. SUBS: Brandon, Winstone, McKeown, Griffiths, Butcher
A bit of confusion here, where we are now hearing whispers that Ipswich striker Connor Wickham is playing. I guess the only way we’ll know for sure is when the teams come out for kick-off, which is now just five minutes away
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/follow-the-fa-youth-cup-on-arsenal.com
You meen Afobe not Aneke will start up top
thats arsenal tv online not me
5 mins IPSWICH COUNTER-ATTACK: The ball finds its way to Murray and he’s though on goal but under pressure from Miquel drags his shot wide of goal. 5 mins ARSENAL FREE-KICK: Hajrovic is fouled on the right and Frimpong will deliver a free-kick from 40 yards. It’s cleared and Ipswich could break here… 3 mins Ispwich have a free-kick on their left touchline and the ball is played across to Dunbar who takes a shot, which whistle’s over the crossbar. 1 mins To me it looks like Ipswich’s number 9 is Wickham but no official word as yet. 0 mins And Arsenal get us underway
dont you pose straaight for a passport picture?
Wickham would be good buy
he trows the ball like delap
IPSWICH TAKE THE LEAD: A long ball comes over the top of Arsenal’s back line and Murray is one-on-one with the keeper and slots it to Dunn’s bottom right. 7 mins ARSENAL IN DANGER: Clarke punts a long ball towards Wickham and he knocks it around Dunn who had rushed out of his goal. However his touch takes him to the byline and his cut-back is cleared by Evina
ANEKE UNLEASHES AN EFFORT: The striker is 20 yards from goal and shapes to shoot but Eastman reads the play and dives in front of Aneke’s effort. 12 mins
ARSENAL 0-2 IPSWICH: Connor Wickham is the man who gets away this time and slots across goal to double his sides lead.
2-0 down! not good! Come on Arsenal!
This is a little embarssing considering our great youth academy is one of our claims to fame.
its not the players fault its the national youth coaches who call up older players and apply 4 new passports 4 them wif a false age
luckily in africa we dont age that fast as u guys in europe
im 27 bt if u saw ma pic u could say im 18 i even look younger than eastmond so they do it 4 the national youth teams to succeed in youth tournaments
its not really
not many players young enough to play in the fa youth cup could handle wickam he’s a monster
Lol…well then we need to sign him
we have a lot of talent out there
i say 4-3 to arsenal
afoebe and aneke double and there two goals are from failed offside traps i think
Definitely have the firepower to come back in this game, but its keeping them out at the other end which might be the problem. Still have faith!
26 mins ARSENAL LOOKING DANGEROUS: Freeman comes down the left and cuts inside. He plays the ball central to Frimpong who tries a shot from 20-yards. It’s blocked but falls to the right wing where a cross finds Freeman in the six-yard box. He makes a good connection but the Ipswich keeper dives to his left to catch the ball