Yemeni player Wesam Saleh Ahmed Al Worafi was subjected to a routine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test of the radial bone for an age determination test on 8 October 2008.

A combined panel of AFC and FIFA medical experts concurred that the radial bone was fused thus leading them to conclude that Al Worafi was over the age of 16 years.

The case was forwarded to the AFC Disciplinary Committee which after careful consideration of several factors, including the tournament regulations, burden of proof and an explanation from the Yemen team manager, concluded that Yemen had not infringed the eligibility criteria on 11 October.

The AFC Disciplinary Committee further allowed appeals from parties who are affected by the decision.

Subsequently, Football Federation Australia (FFA) lodged an appeal this morning upon which the AFC Appeals Committee reviewed the entire case and decided that Yemen had indeed violated Article 27 (g) of the championship regulations.

The AFC Appeals Committee concluded that: “If the AFC undertakes the verification process as has occurred with player Wesam, and the MRI establishes that he is a grade 6 fusion of the radial bone, then that player is not eligible to participate in the AFC U-16 Championship.”

“Pursuant to Article 27 (g) of the regulations any member Association found guilty of fielding ineligible player shall forfeit the match. The referee reports for the matches of Yemen establish that the player in question, Wesam, participated in each of the three matches in the preliminary round.”

“Having fielded an ineligible player in each of those matches, Yemen is deemed to have forfeited each match. The first match with UAE is a nullity as UAE also fielded an ineligible player. The match between Malaysia and Yemen is 3-0 to Malaysia, and the match between Japan and Yemen is 3-0 to Japan.”

Following Yemen’s disqualification, the Group D standings have been revised. Japan (nine points) lead the table followed by the UAE (three points), Malaysia (three points) and Yemen (zero points). UAE are second on a better head-to-head record against Malaysia.

Today’s quarter-final matches at the MHSK Stadium will now see Japan play Saudi Arabia while Australia take on the UAE. Iran play Syria and Korea Republic clash with Uzbekistan at the Pakhtakor Stadium.