A former Nigeria defender Taribo West has been accused of serious age fraud by some of the clubs he played for during his professional career in Europe. A Daily Mail (Mail Online) of England publication on Wednesday attributed the statement to ex-president of Partizan Belgrade, Zarko Zecevic.
The former Nigeria centre half, now retired, joined Serbian team Partizan Belgrade in 2002 after leaving Derby County and told club bosses he was 28 when he was actually 40, the paper reported.
Zecevic, has accused him of lying, saying the former defender with Derby County, Plymouth and Inter Milan was lying about his age while insisting that Taribo was actually 40.
Zecevic said, “He joined us saying he was 28. We only later found out he was 40, but he was still playing well so I don’t regret having him on the team.”
But according to the Croatian media, the former defender known for his colourful hairstyles also lied when trying to join Croatia’s Rijeka club. At the age of 44, they said Taribo told club doctors he was only 32. It was only after an examination that the doctors raised suspicions with the club because Taribo’s knees suggested he was older.
He wasn’t signed to the team but later joined Plymouth and then Iranian side Paykan FC, where he ended his career at the age of 46 in 2008.
The retired player, who now works as a pastor in the ministry he started as a player, told newsmen,on the telephone on Wednesday that it is very suggestive that such matter would be coming up about 10 years after he left that team.
“I don’t really know what they are talking about and that’s why I don’t really have anything much to say. But it is curious that they are raising such matter about 10 years after I left the place. Why was the matter not raised while I was there? Why talk about it long after I retired from the game,” Taribo said.
Age-cheating has been a serious issue in Nigerian football especially since the world football governing body FIFA introduced age-grade competitions. Even though some of the foreign clubs have treated some of the country’s players with suspicions, this is the first bold and direct accusation made against a Nigerian player.
It was not immediately clear under what circumstance or forum that Mr. Zecevic raised the matter.
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Nawa oh..they need doctors to carry out a test on his knees before they can verify his age?
ReplyDeleteDem no look him face!
After u people enjoyed his work, west. Live them cos they don't know what to say again. Carry go my beloved pastor west. Lots of ..........
ReplyDeleteA player at 40 plays like a 28 yr old - that's an awesome feat! Then a doctor's invincible proof that this player was much older than his claims and yet no court action - infact the team manager says he did not regret his inclusion into the team because he played WELL -waoow! Now after 10 years someone re-opens his "case"! Why exhume a "corpse" for trial when you had it in life..? Me i no get the matter at all!!
ReplyDeletePastor, abeg confess your sin! Even devil know say you lie for your age!
ReplyDeleteLaugh wan kill me o! I Think there is a conspiracy behind this. After ten years. Abi na criminal case? What were they waiting for. they are just looking for a way to tanish Our Pastor's image.
ReplyDeleteso mr west is actually 51 years old now. what nonsense is this. he shld be given a throphy for been the oldest player ever and playing well
ReplyDeleteI read on his twitter handle today when he said age is only an hinderance to the human mind, i remember a Taribo West serving our great country with a bloody head, for some reason some people have forgotten how well this man played. Everything he did for our now failing country... If this is indeed true id say we should give kudos rather than sell a 10 year old story that was probably dug up by a jobless hater.
ReplyDeleteAt the level at which he played, was there age limit that would have prompt him to falsify his age? If no. then we should allow the sleeping dog lie. We should be carefull not to destroy a good name. Pastor Taribo deserve respect and hounor from Nigerians and the world over. Watch him in retrospct : his dedicated to his work and was faithfull to his father land . he never had any issue with eitherLocal or foriegn in days of service on the pitch.We should allow him enjoy the fruit of his labour in retirement.
ReplyDeleteMany Nigerians don't know the value of age anyways. To an average Nigerian, age is nothing. It's a national shame.
ReplyDelete