Brazil used overage Players?

TOKYO, Dec 3 (Reuters) - Brazil's unique record of being the only country to have taken part in the finals of every World Cup is in danger because of allegedly fielding overage players at an under-17 tournament.

If found guilty, the Brazilian soccer federation, the CBF, could be banned from international soccer for two years, based on punishments handed out by FIFA in similar cases. That would mean Brazil, the only country to win the World Cup four times, would not be able to compete in the qualifying round of the 2002 World Cup finals. They would also forfeit the right to play at the Sydney Olympics.

FIFA spokesman Keith Cooper told Reuters on Friday: "The facts, as we understand them, are that some overage players appeared for Brazil in an under-17 tournament and FIFA is launching a thorough investigation into the case. "Let me also say that you are innocent until proven guilty and there are many issues to be resolved. We have been aware of one player -- Sandro Hiroshi -- being involved. There may be others."

Both Mexico and Nigeria have been banned from international soccer in the past after it was found their federations fielded overage players. But Brazil have already mounted a strong defence, saying the players involved were to blame and acted alone without the CBF's knowledge.

CBF president Ricardo Texeira, the former son-in-law of FIFA's ex-president, Joao Havelange, has demanded a life-ban on the three players involved -- Hiroshi, and Henrique, who play for Sao Paulo, and Bell, who plays for Botafogo. All three are alleged to have submitted false identity papers, passports and birth certificates to the CBF. Texeira, himself a member of the FIFA Executive Committee -- as well as being a member of the 2002 World Cup organising committee -- is also involved in Brazil's bid to stage the World Cup in 2006. He is providing his FIFA colleagues with a full dossier on the affair.

However, the matter is not on the formal agenda set for next week's Executive Committee meeting and Brazil's name will be in Tuesday's draw for the 2002 qualifying competition.