Asian federation bans 16, over-age players

Sixteen players have been banned from international soccer for two years after they were found to be over-age following X-ray tests at the Asian under-16 championships last year.

Iran, Oman, Thailand, Nepal and Bangladesh will not be allowed to enter the 2002 Asian Youth tournament for fielding the over-age players, the Asian Football Confederation said.

The team managers of all five countries at the under-16 championship have been suspended, the AFC said in a statement.