AIFF set to investigate Gourav Mukhi's real age

Published at :October 9, 2018 at 11:44 AM

Modified at :December 13, 2023 at 1:01 PM

(Courtesy : ISL Media)

The apex body has confirmed the youngster had earlier submitted documents falsifying his age in the national database, which he has now sought to change.

There has been a lot of speculation regarding the age of Jamshedpur FC youngster Gourav Mukhi ever since he became the “youngest goalscorer” in the history of the Indian Super League (ISL). Social media has been abuzz questioning the authenticity of the ISL stating Mukhi to be only 16 years of age, with many convinced that he’s much older than that.

It was discovered recently that Mukhi was actually banned for age-fraud by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) back in 2015. After playing a prolific part in Jharkhand’s success in winning the sub-junior (U-15) national championship, Mukhi was one of the three players who got banned by Indian football's apex body. Jharkhand stated that they were stripped of the title and that Mukhi was banned due being over the age of 15 at the time.

So, here comes the catch, if Gourav Mukhi had exceeded the age of 15 back in 2015, how could he be 16 in 2018? Many were also questioning how a “boy” could have such dense facial hair and a strong figure. Age fraud has been a persistent thorn in the side of Indian football for the most part of this century and the AIFF is doing its best to reduce the number of age-fraud instances commited by clubs.

In a statement released earlier today, the governing body explained how Mukhi had submitted his date of birth certificate, which shows him to be born on the 4th of May, 2002. They further stated that the forward had earlier submitted paperwork showing he was born in 1999 to the Centralised Registration System (CRS), which he has mow sought to revoke.

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It was also added that the CRS was not implemented at the national championships and the state-level tournaments in 2015, when Mukhi's gaff had taken place. The AIFF also concluded by stating that the discrepancy in the different birth certificates will be taken up by the appropriate committee, who will then decide whether to charge Mukhi for it.

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The AIFF's statement on the matter reads, "Jamshedpur FC player Gourav Mukhi who had earlier given a declaration that his DOB was 04/05/1999 has now submitted documents to the CRS system referring that his DOB is 04/05/2002.

The Centralised Registration System (CRS) which registers in-detailed information of every single player for AIFF was not implemented for the National Championships and the State Associations in 2015, but later.

The discrepancy in the DOBs will be referred to the relevant committee for further appropriate action."

This is definitely a strange situation in Indian football, but Gourav Mukhi will hope that no severe punishment is dealt on him.