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The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) has banned five wrestlers for age manipulation in youth tournaments, barring them from all wrestling- activities for four years.

The suspended wrestlers include Deepanshu, the winner of the 65kg freestyle category at the Asian U20 Wrestling Championships trials held in Lucknow on Wednesday.

He has been replaced by Pawan Balaji Dhayagude in India’s 65kg freestyle squad for the continental championship, which is scheduled to take place in Thailand later this month.

Four other wrestlers, Tanuj Antil, Baljot Singh, Nikhil Dalal, and Saket Drall, were also found guilty of violating the code of conduct by submitting fake birth certificates.

“Upon verification with the Registrar, Municipal Corporation, we confirmed that their birth certificates are not genuine. Hence, the wrestlers are hereby suspended from all wrestling- activities under the aegis of WFI for a period of four years,” the federation said in a statement on Wednesday.

Show-cause notice to referee Jaibir Singh

The WFI has also issued a show-cause notice to Jaibir Singh, a senior referee who officiated at the Asian Games trials in Lucknow on May 31.

He has been accused of a conflict of interest after allegedly stepping into his son Ronak Dahiya’s coaching corner during the final of the 130kg Greco-Roman category.

According to the notice, Jaibir removed his referee kit and reportedly coached his son during the final bout. The WFI stated that such conduct compromises the neutrality and impartiality expected of a technical official.

However, Jaibir told The New Indian Express that he had completed his officiating duties for the day and was on his way out when he noticed his son competing in the final without a coach by his side.

He claimed that he stopped briefly to encourage him and offer some advice.

The WFI has given him until June 10 to respond to the notice, as he is currently officiating at the UWW Ranking Series event in Mongolia.