The key facts

  • Lutfulla Turaev stated that his real year of birth is 1987, while his passport says 1988
  • According to him, this was done when he played for the national team of players born in 1988 in 2004
  • The confession was made in the '90 minut' podcast

A confession in a podcast

Former member of the Uzbekistan national team Lutfulla Turaev stated in the '90 minut' podcast that his age had been reduced by one year. 'I will say it openly in front of the cameras too,' — Daryo.uz quoted his words.

The essence of the statement

According to Turaev, in 2004, under head coach Islam Akhmedov, there existed a national team of players born in 1988, while he himself was born in 1987. 'My age was reduced by one year,' he said. As proof, he cited his school records: he started school at the age of six and studied with those born in 1986, although his passport lists 1988 as his year of birth. 'They did it themselves,' the footballer added.

Context

The statement concerns a practice widespread in football — a discrepancy between players' documented and real ages — which affects eligibility for youth competitions by age groups. Turaev initiated this confession himself — the publication is based on his words in the podcast; there is no confirmation from the federation or other official bodies in the sources.