FC Midtjylland has breached FIFA regulations by hosting a trial for a 13-year-old Norwegian player. The club has now acknowledged the mistake and will review its procedures.
Information reveals the club held a five-day training camp for the young Norwegian Omar Ouerghemi from May 4 to May 8 this year. The player, born in December 2012, was only 13 years old at the time. FIFA rules prohibit international trials for players under the age of 15, unless both player and club are based in Europe. Ouerghemi does not turn 15 until 2027.
The programme included individual training, team sessions, physical tests, and a match against VFF, during which Ouerghemi wore the FCM number 11 shirt. His Norwegian club, Løvenstad FK, confirmed the camp on social media. FC Midtjylland explained that the family requested a school visit to the club, but sporting activities became part of the stay.
"We should, however, have been more aware of the conditions that apply when a school visit also includes sporting activities under our auspices," said FC Midtjylland. "We accept that responsibility, and are therefore now reviewing our procedures to ensure similar visits are handled correctly in the future."
The club has accepted responsibility for the sporting activities during the visit. The new internal review is intended to prevent similar incidents. The story echoes other Norwegian talents who have moved to Denmark, such as Andreas Schjelderup, who transferred at age 16.
The news comes as FC Midtjylland leads the Superliga with 28 points from 12 games. The team's recent form reads three wins, one draw, and one loss from their last five league matches. They most recently beat Lyngby 3-2 last weekend. The next challenge is a key top-of-the-table clash away to fourth-placed FC Nordsjaelland on November 1st. The club will now focus on rectifying the procedural error while the first team fights to maintain its lead at the top.
The report in full is at sportherning.dk
