Midfielder banned for a year for age fraud

Figueirense midfielder Carlos Alberto was banned for 360 days on Tuesday, after the Brazilian High Sports Tribunal judged he had purposefully changed his birth certificate to hide his real age. Carlos Alberto confessed he changed his birth certificate to show him as being five years younger than his real age, so that he could get more chances to start his career as a youngster and escape poverty.

The player, who's now confirmed to be 28 and not 23 as previously believed, was believed to be in negotiations to join Brazilian champions Sao Paulo next year, but the ban has cancelled the deal. Sao Paulo officials have said they may further pursue the transfer if the ban is reduced to six months, something which depends on the success of an appeal to be filed by Figueirense on the case.