Edel interviewed by police over fraud claims

Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Apoula Edel was on Monday interviewed by police as part of an investigation into claims he lied about his age and real identity.

Police sources revealed that Edel was being questioned as a witness following a complaint made by his former coach and agent Nicolas Philibert, who alleges that he is owed 30,000 euros in unpaid debts.

Edel first hit the headlines last year when Philibert, who says he coached the player in Cameroon, claimed Edel was 29 rather than 24 and was actually called Ambroise Beyamena.

French sport weekly Le 10 Sport on Friday published documents accusing Edel of lying about his age and identity, which were handed to the authorities by Philibert.

PSG subsequently released a statement saying they were “dismayed” by the reports and claiming that the article “added nothing new” to the case.

The club have also made a claim of defamation against Edel’s accuser.

The documents published by Le 10 Sport included a copy of a request for a playing licence for the 1998-99 season made under the name Ambroise Beyamena, whose date of birth was given as April 19, 1981.

The request had been validated by the Cameroon football federation and was subsequently authenticated by the Cameroonian authorities in January this year.

Sevilla, beaten 1-0 by PSG in the Europa League group phase on Thursday, said over the weekend that they had complained to UEFA about “a presumed irregularity” concerning Edel’s registration with the French club.

Philibert claims he was a mentor to Edel, reportedly lending him money and helping him find a club in Armenia, the country that he went on to represent at international level.