Bolivian TV network El Deportivo TV have published exclusive documents which suggest potential Arsenal signing Samuel Galindo is an ‘age cheat’. They say the Bolivia youth team captain is 20-years-old, not 17 as previously touted.

The network shows what they claim is Samuel’s correct passport, not a fake which was allegedly shown to officials at the Under 17 World Cup earlier this year after questions were raised by competing teams. The hosts, Nigeria, had 11 players in a 25 man squad fail bone tests in what proved to be one of the biggest attempts to field ineligible players in youth sport. Should the evidence be found to be 100% accurate, Galindo’s transfer to Arsenal may still be in doubt.

The passport picture – here– clearly shows a picture of Samuel as a youngster with the birth date of 18 April 1989, making him 20 and about to turn 21 in just over two months time. The passport shown to officials at the World Cup lists the central midfielder as born on 18 April 1994. El Deportivo have dismissed the latter as false, just like they did with one of Samuel’s international colleagues, Carlos Castro. They published information which proved Castro was lying about his age, but the Bolivian federation ignored the pleas of the network for an investigation.

Now president of the ANF, Jorge Justiniano, will collaborate with the news agency in a mass inquiry to stop the adulteration of some players registered in the Bolivian Soccer Federation, and to clear up any anomalies.

More news is expected shortly.