Profile Of Yanis Issoufou, The U-17 French National Team Player Who Made The Les Bleus Squad Threatened To Be Crossed Out Of The 2023 U-17 World Cup

Yanis Ali Issoufou was hampered by administrative problems at the 2023 U-17 World Cup (doc. LOC WCU17).

JAKARTA - The U-17 French player, Yanis Ali Issoufou, became a hot topic of conversation after successfully bringing Les Bleus through to the knockout stages of the 2023 U-17 World Cup.

He has a vital role as far as the team's right wing. Although he has not contributed a goal, his goalkeeper in three group stage matches helped Les Bleus qualify for the last 16.

However, the excitement of France U-17 at that time broke after Yanis Issoufou was accused of being an illegal player in the squad.

The commotion began with the upload of one of the African media mentioning that Issoufou had previously defended the Republic of Niger U-17 in the 2023 U-17 Africa Cup Qualification.

After appearing to defend the Republic of Niger U-17, Issoufou was even seen appearing as a player in France U-17.

This is what is suspected to be the trigger for the commotion. The reason is, the 2023 U-17 Africa Cup Qualification is the initial series towards the 2023 U-17 World Cup.

Due to the controversy, after France U-17 confirmed the move to the quarter-finals, Senegal U-17 also sent a letter of complaint asking the 2023 U-17 World Cup committee to disqualify Les Bleus.

Just like the one in the African media, Senegal U-17, who lost to France U-17 in the last 16, provided data in his complaint letter that Issoufou was an illegal player.

Not only Senegal U-17, Burkina Faso U-17 who became the opponent of France U-17 in the group stage has also filed a lawsuit against the fraud scandal.

If it is proven that there was fraud, France U-17 will be disqualified from the 2023 U-17 World Cup. However, until this news was made there has been no further confirmation from FIFA as the organizer of the 2023 U-17 World Cup.

Despite the controversy, who is the figure of Yanis Ali Issoufou?

Yanis Ali Issoufou is a footballer born in Nimer, France, on October 28, 2006. Despite being born in France, Issoufou has blood from Nigerians and Morocco.

Even though he is now 17 years old, Issoufou already has a charming record in his career as a footballer. Quoted on the Transfermarkt page, he started his career at the junior level in 2013.

First, Issoufou joined AC Pissevin Valdegorur in 2013-2014. After that, he moved to defend Nimes Olympique in 2014.

Together with Nimes Olympique, Issoufou was able to last a long time and spend until 2022. After Nimes Olympique, Issoufou then joined Montpellier U-19.

Issoufou has experienced significant developments with Montpellier U-19. In fact, he played a match in the French Ligue 1 competition with the senior team Montpellier against Nantes on October 22, 2023.

In addition to his career at a classy club, Issoufou also has a career in the national team which is quite charming. Before wearing French uniform U-17, Issoufou did defend the Republic of Niger U-17 first.

Issoufou first defended the Republic of Niger U-17 in the 2023 U-17 Africa Cup Qualifiers in June 2022. He made three appearances and two goals.

Unfortunately, his contribution has not been able to make the Republic of Niger U-17 qualify for the final round. Issoufou then moved course with France U-17.

With Les Bleus, Issoufou had appeared at Euro U-17 2023 and scored two goals as well as managed to get France U-17 to qualify for the semifinals.

As a result, Issoufou and France U-17 are entitled to one ticket to the 2023 U-17 World Cup in Indonesia. In the tournament of the most prestigious age group, Issoufou managed to score one assist from three matches.