DHAKA: African footballers as young as 14 are being trafficked to Asia and forced to sign contracts.

Six minors are still with top Laos side Champasak United, after it imported 23 under-age players from West Africa to an unregistered football academy in February, a BBC investigation found.

Fifa regulations prohibit the movement of players to a foreign club or academy until they are 18.

The club, based in the southern city Pakse, denies any wrongdoing.

‘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,’ a Fifa spokesperson told the BBC.

It has been claimed that Champasak United, a newly-formed club which plays in Laos’ top league, intends to profit by selling the players in future.

In a clear breach of the world football governing body’s rules, the club has fielded overseas players as young as 14 and 15 in league games this season.

One 14-year-old player, Liberia’s Kesselly Kamara, who scored in a full league game, says he was forced into signing a six-year deal before playing for the senior team.

His contract promised him a salary and accommodation, but Kamara says he was never paid and had to sleep on the floor of the club’s stadium - as did the rest of the traveling party.

BDST: 1250 HRS, JULY 21, 2015
RR