3rd April, 2013
Seun Bisuga
Former Partizan Belgrade president Zarko Zecevic has claimed that former Super Eagles defender Taribo West was 40 when he claimed to be 28. Taribo who played for Derby County, Plymouth and Inter Milan as a defender, has been accused of falsifying his age, an act that is common amongst Nigerian footballers.
Zecevic said the defender tricked them into signing him by claiming he was only aged 28. He also accused Taribo of lying to the club. “He joined us saying he was 28. We only later found out he was 40, but he was still playing well so I don’t regret having him on the team,” he said.
The former Nigeria centre half, now retired, joined Serbian team Partizan Belgrade in 2002 after leaving Derby County and told club bosses he was 28. According to the Croatian media, the former defender known for his colourful hairstyles also lied when trying to join Croatia’s Rijeka club.
At the age of 44, they said West told club doctors he was only 32 but doctors examination showed that he was older and the doctors raised suspicions with the club because West’s knees suggested he was older.
He wasn’t signed to the team but later joined Plymouth and then Iranian side Paykan FC, where he ended his career at the age of 46 in 2008.
During his playing days it was widely believed that Taribo was born on 19 February 1974 and aged 39 as of today.
First published by Daily Mail of London