In the world of sport, supporters and spectators know pretty much everything thete is to know about a certain player or coach. However, there does exist moments when news is broken that absoluely floors everyone; possibly including the individual involved. A recent case has recently come to light. The player is Youssoufa Moukoko and his age and family relations have come into question.
Youssoufa Moukoko is a German footballer of Cameroonian descent, belonging to Borussia Dortmund but has been playing for Nice in Ligue 1, France, since last summer. As it stands, Moukoko is also the youngest player in history to compete in the Bundesliga, having debuted at 16 years and 28 days. Additionally, he is the youngest to play in the Champions League, at the same age but 10 days younger.
The forward is at the center of a scandal involving his identity and age. According to statements by Joseph Moukoko, who, until now, was recognised as his father, has revealed that he is neither his biological parent nor was the player born on 20 November 2004, in Yaoundé, Cameroon, as official documents state. Instead, he claims the footballer was born on 19 July 2000, making him four years older.
In a documentary aired by the German channel, ProSieben, Joseph confessed to falsifying documents to present Moukoko as his son and reduce his official age. "We did it so he could have better opportunities in European football," he declared. These revelations suggest that the forward exceeded the age limit in youth competitions, including the U17 championship with Dortmund in 2018 and the U21 European Championship won by Germany in 2021.
Joseph Moukoko sparked debate when he declared that the documents concerning the Borussia Dortmund player's age are fake.
"I declare under oath: Youssoufa Moukoko is not my biological son, nor that of my wife, Marie Moukoko. He also did not was born on November 20, 2004, in Yaoundé, Cameroon," stated Joseph Moukoko, the player's alleged father.
He additionally added, "I obtained a false birth certificate for him (Youssoufa) in Yaoundé. Then I went to the embassy, got a passport for him, and brought him to Germany as my son. He was actually born on July 19, 2000. We made him four years younger. Now, he was born on November 20, 2004."
Joseph Moukoko's statement coincides with Bild's investigation, which claims that there is no record of a Youssoufa Moukoko born in 2004 in Cameroon but there is one born in 2000 named Youssoufa Mohamadou, son of Ousman Mohamadou.
Bild's investigation is supported by neighbours from the area where Youssoufa Moukoko supposedly was born.
If irregularities are confirmed, the consequences would be significant for the player, Dortmund and the competitions in which he participated in. Additionally, this case questions the verification mechanisms in youth football and raises the possibility of sanctions for the clubs involved.
As Borussia Dortmund and OGC Nice work to manage the crisis, Moukoko's future hangs in the balance. This scandal not only casts doubt on the player's athletic achievements but also deals a blow to his reputation and credibility on the international stage.
Borussia Dortmund has reacted to reports claiming that the age of forward Youssoufa Moukoko has been falsified. According to the allegations, the striker is not 20 but rather 24 years old.
"In the case of Youssoufa Moukoko, the biological parents and dates of birth are derived from official documents that verify identity, as well as birth certificates issued by German authorities. These documents remain valid to this day and serve as the basis for playing rights and permissions for clubs both domestically and abroad, and of course for representative teams, such as the Germany U21 squad."
"It is also important to note that both the player and the biological parents mentioned in the aforementioned documents have asserted to us, and in the case of the parents even to third parties, through written statements during legal proceedings, that the information provided in these official documents is accurate. This situation is, of course, crucial for us, the DFB (German Football Association), and the player's current club," a Borussia spokesperson told Sky Sport Germany.
Sascha Fligge, Director of Communication at BILD, stated: "The biological parents of Youssoufa Moukoko are determined based on official identification documents and birth certificates issued by a German authority. These documents remain valid to this day and are the basis for eligibility to play and approvals for clubs, whether domestically or abroad, and of course for national selection teams such as the German U21 team."
A work contract between Borussia Dortmund and Joseph Moukoko, available to BILD, reveals that the adoptive father was directly employed by the football club in 2018.
Joseph Moukoko says in the documentary: "My wife was employed by an agency that works for BVB sponsor, Evonik; "I was directly employed by BVB. This is how we received money every month. We did not work. We received the money this way."
The alleged mother, Marie, was reportedly employed by the Hamburg advertising agency of "Evonik". At that time, "Evonik" was one of BVB's main sponsors. Shortly after, Joseph Moukoko received a contract as a video analyst and scout, initially earning 10,000 euros, later 20,000 euros per month. Two contracts, together at least 20,000 euros a month.
Since 2022, there have been controversial discussions about BVB star Youssoufa Moukoko. BILD and other media outlets have been legally prohibited from reporting on many details.
It is undisputed that Joseph Moukoko brought Youssoufa, who was born in Yaoundé (Cameroon), to Germany in 2014. In November 2022, the then 72-year-old assured the court under oath that he is Youssoufa's biological father.
BILD searched for clues in Cameroon in 2023, investigating the player's origins in the Central African country. In the registration office of Yaoundé, birth certificates can be viewed and photocopied. However, BILD does not find the document for Youssoufa Moukoko, born on 20 November 20 2004.
They did, however, find the document for Youssoufa Mohamadou, born on 19 July 2000, who's not deceased and is therefore currently 23 years old. His father is listed as Ousman Mohamadou, 51 years old, occupation: taxi driver.
In the impoverished neighbourhood "La Briqueterie" in the capital, where Youssoufa Moukoko grew up, an uncle of the footballer claims that the real father lives in a Villa 10km away. Several neighbours there confirm that the father of the BVB star lives there, known to everyone in the area.
However, it is not Joseph Moukoko who resides at the villa, but Ousman Mohamadou.
This scandal also calls into question the mechanisms for verifying age in youth football, a recurring issue in various international federations.
I am shocked by this news. I am a firm and strong believer in honesty. Matters like these shouldn't come to light at a later stage. People should be upfront. As seen above, if allegations like these bare the truth, it can create a ripple effect. It can turn the football world upside down.
I read somewhere that Joseph Moukoko only came out because he wasn't being paid anymore. Being paid, "hush money" is always wrong. This can always be used as blackmail as well. To me, both should be illegal. Joseph Moukoko should be punished.