The pictures speak for themselves.
On one side (in white), a selection from Mauritania with teenagers under the age of fifteen made up of growing teenagers of various sizes.
On the other, a Sierra Leone team (in blue) displaying adult-sized prospects, similar to those of the referees on the pitch.
The presentation of the teams before the match between the two selections at an international tournament in Africa had already fueled suspicion about the real age of the Sierra Leonean players supposed to be under fifteen.
The doubts were confirmed a little later with the heavy defeat of Mauritania (6-0), unable to respond to the physical challenge of the opposing players.
Indignant and suspecting cheating, Mauritania therefore preferred to withdraw from the competition organized in Liberia by publishing a press release which says a lot about the bitterness of the leaders.
"
We have been reported by many observers that the age of some of the teams participating in the field is very far from the legal age to participate in this championship
", explained the Mauritanian Federation, worried about the health of its young shoots. "
exposed to serious injury
".
Mauritania is the only selection to have left the competition.
"
We should not tolerate or encourage such practices
," concluded the leaders of the North West African state, who do not, however, question the country's adherence to the organization of the competition.