Ethiopia has been deducted the three points from Sunday's CECAFA U-17 match against Somalia, for fielding ineligible players. The initial result of the match was Somalia 1 Ethiopia 3, but for breaking the regulations of the competition the result has now turned into the other side Somalia 3 Ethiopia 0.

Following an emergency meeting by CECAFA organizing Committee for the youth competition that is now being held in Burundi, it has been discovered that three of Ethiopia’s players are older than the proper U 17 age required for the competition. CECAFA organizing committee has also handed Ethiopia a $5000 fine and the three ineligible players will be sent back to Addis Ababa on Monday.

Somalia has been praised for fielding the exact age for the competition. The Somali youngsters including some from internally displaced people (IDP) camps and schools were trained at the Somali Football Federation’s football Academy. The youngsters have played in the FIFA-funded Domestic Youth league for 12-15 year olds for the past two football seasons. Somalia will play their second match against hosts Burundi on Tuesday.

Somali Football Federation Media Department

Email:info@somsoccer.com