AFC to conduct world’s first MRI-age tests on women

KUALA LUMPUR: The world’s first age tests on female footballers in a competition environment will be conducted during the AFC U16 Women’s Championship in Bangkok, Thailand in November. The MRI scans, however, will only be conducted for research purposes as FIFA and AFC medical experts have yet to determine the relationship between bone fusion in the wrist and age in women.The results of the tests during the November 4-15 tournament, therefore, will be kept confidential and no sanctions will apply.MRI-bone testing for boys is already an established science and is used extensively. FIFA is now conducting worldwide research on women players, with the AFC tournament first on the agenda.It was AFC that first initiated the drive to ensure age-cheating is defeated in women’s age group tournaments and FIFA has now taken up the baton.The teams taking part in the AFC U16 Women’s Championship are Australia, China, Chinese Taipei, DPR Korea, Korea Republic, Japan, Myanmar and Thailand.

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