Iraq cleared of age cheating at U20 World Cup

ISTANBUL (AP) — FIFA has cleared Iraq of age cheating at the Under-20 World Cup following anonymous claims on Wednesday, hours before Iraq was scheduled to play Uruguay in the semifinals.

FIFA says it received emails "from unidentified persons ... by which allegations were made that players of team Iraq would not comply with the age limit."

FIFA says it found no irregularities and was not further investigating the matter after verifying its data with the Asian Football Confederation, "which provided the requested information regarding the players in question as well as the pertinent supporting documents."

Only players born on or after Jan. 1, 1993, are eligible to participate in the U20 World Cup.

In the other semifinal match, France will play Ghana.