Borussia Dortmund has addressed recent allegations concerning the age of Youssoufa Moukoko, the striker currently on loan to OGC Nice.
The claims, made in a ProSieben documentary titled “Tricking, Cheating, Deceiving – The Million Dollar Business with Football Talents,” suggest that Moukoko may not be 20 years old as officially recorded, but 24.
The documentary, set to air Sunday evening, features statements from Joseph Moukoko, who claims to be the player’s alleged father.
In an affidavit, Joseph asserts, “In knowledge of the punishability of a false affidavit, I declare (…) under oath: Youssoufa Moukoko is not the biological son of me and my wife Marie Moukoko.
“He was also not born on November 20, 2004, in Yaoundé, Cameroon.”
Joseph further alleges that he obtained falsified documents to secure a birth certificate for Youssoufa in Yaoundé.
He claims this was followed by obtaining a passport under a false date of birth to facilitate the young footballer’s migration to Germany.
According to Joseph, Moukoko was actually born on July 19, 2000, not November 20, 2004, which would make him four years older than his official records suggest.
The ProSieben investigative team, which delved into the matter extensively, highlights these revelations as part of a broader examination of irregularities in the business of youth football talent development.
In response to the allegations, Borussia Dortmund released a statement affirming their commitment to supporting Moukoko amid the controversy.
The club emphasized that they are in touch with the player and his representatives while refraining from further comment until the matter is clarified.
Moukoko, who became widely celebrated for his record-breaking feats as one of the youngest players to debut in the Bundesliga, has faced similar scrutiny in the past regarding his age.
Despite the recurring allegations, the player has consistently maintained that the official documentation of his birth date is accurate.
The ongoing revelations and subsequent reactions have reignited debates surrounding age verification in football, particularly within youth development systems.
As the story unfolds, both Borussia Dortmund and Moukoko’s representatives will likely face increased pressure to address these claims comprehensively.
