Gourav Mukhi of Jamshedpur FC was claimed to be the youngest goalscorer in ISL history but his actual age has brought up controversy. (Source: AP) Gourav Mukhi of Jamshedpur FC was claimed to be the youngest goalscorer in ISL history but his actual age has brought up controversy. (Source: AP)

Jamshedpur FC’s Gourav Mukhi has been suspended by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and has been summoned for a hearing into the age fraud case that hit the headlines in October. Mukhi had been embroiled in controversy over his age after scoring for Jamshedpur in a 2-2 draw against Bengaluru FC in the Indian Super League. On paper, he is 16-years-old and had allegedly become the youngest scorer in the ISL.

Older reports had indicated that the Jharkhand native had been suspended by the AIFF in the past after he had confessed to age fraud. He had been called up to the Indian national camp for the Under-17 World Cup in 2015 but he, along with four teammates from the U-15 nationals-winning Jharkhand team, had admitted they were over-age.

“In the interest of fair play, the AIFF Disciplinary Committee based on prima facie seriousness of the issue has put the player under ‘suspension’ from participation in any AIFF events until a final decision is reached,” a press release by the AIFF disciplinary committee said.

This means Mukhi will be unable to play for Jamshedpur FC, his state team Jharkhand or the senior national team in case he is called up, until the disciplinary committee reaches a verdict. Jamshedpur FC’s next fixture, following the international break, is against FC Pune City on Wednesday (November 21) at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex Stadium, Pune.

Mukhi started his career with Jamshedpur with the reserve squad and played for them in the second division of the I-League, where he scored six goals. Those performances fast-tracked him into the senior team and he made an immediate impact, scoring two goals in the pre-season before netting his first official goal against Bengaluru FC.

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