Players are invited to join the club on trial in return for a payment made by the young footballer.

The Championship club’s statement says it would like to alert young players and parents of aspiring young footballers that it is one of a number of clubs whose name is being used in this manner. The club has reported this to both the police and the FA (Football Association), and is currently assisting them in their investigations.

Boro added it would like to re-iterate that any invitations for players to join on trial would always be made directly from the club and not from any third parties.

Any communication regarding the arrangement of a trial with MFC in return for payment is fraudulent, the club added.

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