Lazio midfielder Joseph Minala has proved to the Italian FA that he is a teenager following accusations that he was concealing a true age of 42.

The 17-year-old was under investigation after an African football website claimed that the midfielder was masquerading as a youth team player after altering his passport.

However, after facing questioning from the league's federal prosecutor, Minala has been cleared to resume his youth career.

A statement said: "The federal prosecutor has examined the report and ordered the investigation to be closed. There are no doubts about his age. He is 17."

The teen was subjected to social media abuse once photographs of the Cameroon-born player were posted online.

Written by
Danielle Joynson