Argentinian footballers summoned over false passports

Four Argentinian footballers suspected of having used false Italian passports to play in Europe have been summoned to appear before a judge here at an as-yet-undetermined date, a legal source said.

Diego Placente, who plays for French champions Bordeaux, Zaragoza goalkeeper Juan Pablo Carrizo, Panathinaikos midfielder Sebastian Leto and Boca Juniors defender Juan Forlin all received summons along with Forlin’s father Hugo.

They are all accused of having used false Italian passports to play in Europe without taking up a quota place for overseas players.

Federal judge Norberto Oyarbide said the summons were based on a report from the Italian consul general in Buenos Aires that the passports used were “false”.

Oyarbide had not yet fixed a date for a hearing.