EcoMed Sets the Record Straight on Allegations of Failed MRI Scans for U-17 Players

In response to recent controversies surrounding the MRI scans of Sierra Leone’s U-17 football team during the WAFU tournament in Senegal, EcoMed Medical Diagnostic Center has clarified its stance, affirming the accuracy of its tests and challenging the validity of the results from Senegal.

EcoMed revealed that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially revised its earlier assessment of the MRI scans, leading to the reinstatement of the Sierra Leone U-17 team in the tournament. “This development testifies to our position that the scans conducted in Senegal may have been inaccurate,” stated EcoMed in a recent release.

At the core of the dispute are the MRI scans used to determine the skeletal age of players, a critical factor in ensuring fair competition in youth tournaments.

EcoMed emphasized that it utilizes advanced MRI imaging technology for its assessments and employs a team of internationally accredited radiologists to interpret the results. These scans, conducted on more than 40 candidates from Sierra Leone, yielded definitive pass/fail outcomes, which the center stands behind.

“We stand firmly by the integrity of our results, which were issued for over 40 candidates,” the statement reads. EcoMed reiterated that their rigorous process guarantees the accuracy of their findings and questioned the reliability of the scans performed in Senegal.

In addition to its work with Sierra Leone’s team, EcoMed revealed that it had also conducted MRI scans on over 50 candidates from Liberia’s U-17 football team, all of whom passed CAF’s scrutiny without issue, further reinforcing their credibility.

To address the ongoing concerns and promote transparency, EcoMed extended an open invitation to the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLAFA), encouraging them to share the MRI scans conducted in Senegal. EcoMed expressed its willingness to submit both sets of scans to an independent panel of international radiologists for a thorough review, ensuring that any discrepancies are resolved and that the truth is brought to light.