FIFA investigates more than 50 cases of child trafficking in Catalonia

FIFA has discovered potential evidence of child trafficking from Africa, Asia and South America to various football clubs in Catalonia, according to Spanish sports daily Marca. 

Football's world governing body has sent letters to the clubs and a private school to clarify the situation of more than 50 minors who came to Catalonia on a one-year scholarship to study and play football, as permitted, but who prolonged their stays illegally with permits issued by Catalan youth football authorities, the newspaper reported.  

Rather than isolated cases, FIFA believes there is evidence of a large-scale structure. It has spoken to parents, who acknowledge that their children are not receiving any education but instead are just playing football. 

The players are registered at Agora Barcelona International School and train with various clubs, including the Marcet Foundation, the Hospitalet Academy Foundation, Veterans Catalau and PE Manigua, Marca reports. 

The children come from various countries, which makes it more difficult for FIFA to detect any wrongdoing. 

FIFA has notified the Catalan education department and Catalan football federation of their concerns. 

RCD Espanyol could also be implicated as Lucas Alves, who joined their team from the Marcet Foundation last summer, arrived in Barcelona from Brazil as a student and prolonged his stay in Catalonia beyond the year allowed by FIFA. 

The Catalan Football Federation did not answer Catalan News' request for comment.