The excesses of professional football can sometimes have repercussions even in the amateur world.
This time, it is Chamsoudine Soumaila Ali, a young boy of 12 who is paying the price.
The child from the Comoros was taken in by his uncle and aunt, who live in the Doubs, after three years of an administrative procedure as long as it was complex.
To offer him a more serene future, his parents have taken the legal and administrative steps to place him under the authority of Zainaba and Daniel who live in France.
In March, a few days before the start of confinement, “Chamsou” arrived, caught up with school in a few months to be admitted to fifth grade and obtained all his papers.
All except one.
Not the most important, but perhaps the most symbolic: a football license.
The young Comorian wrote a letter to be able to play football.
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Why is Chamsoudine refused this request?
The case is complex, linked to the regulations of Fifa and in particular its article 19 on the "protection of minors", supposed to regulate the transfers of young foreign players to professional clubs.
“Chamsou came here to live in better conditions.
To go to school, to have access to correct care.
The objective of his coming has nothing to do with football, ”details with bitterness his uncle Daniel Plichart.
"In June, as part of his integration, and a few weeks after confinement where he could not meet anyone, I registered him at his request at the US Sous-Roches club," says his uncle which even paid, at the beginning of August, a five-day course at the Grandvillars technical center… approved by the French football federation.
The FFF wants to plead its case with Fifa
Three months later, his license was refused by the Ligue de Bourgogne Franche-Comté.
Since September 3, misunderstanding has reigned on the side of the Plichart, who have asked the local league for additional explanations.
Response from the services of the French football federation: “Fifa regulations are very strict concerning the registration of underage players.
On several occasions, the FIFA Player Status Sub-Committee has notified us of refusals for this type of case since it has clearly established that delegating parental authority or entrusting custody of the child to a third party would result in a rejection of any request made under this exception.
"
Despite the dismay caused by the subject, the Plicharts continue to fight, aided by the broad outpouring of support that surrounds them and the lawyers who now advise them.
At the end of October, they sent several letters to the Ministry of Sports and especially to the FFF.
Contacted by us, the French football body says it has read the file and wishes to transmit it to Fifa.
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“Basically, it's not so much a problem linked to the federation.
The more kids we have playing football, the happier we are, explains Jean Lapeyre, the deputy general manager of the FFF.
Unfortunately, there are Fifa regulations regarding international transfers or first license for young people who come from different countries.
We are going to plead the case of this child and try to obtain a waiver from Fifa, so that we can issue the license.
"
In the offices of the FFF, the problem is not new.
In the early 2010s, Sports Minister Valérie Fourneyron pointed out the drastic interpretation of the famous article 19 and asked the governing body of French football to resolve these situations on a case-by-case basis.
This is precisely what Chamsoudine and his family are waiting for.
