Player for Peru accused of using false identity

Published Jan. 23, 2013 7:31 p.m. ET

foxsports

A player on Peru's team at the South American under-20 championship has left the event after being accused of playing under a false identity.

The Ecuadorean Football Association tells The Associated Press that the Peru player identified as Max Barrios is actually an Ecuadorean named Juan Espinoza.

Ecuador association spokesman Victor Mestanza says CONMEBOL, the governing body of South American football, had been asked to investigate the case.

The tournament in Argentina ends Feb. 3 with four teams advancing to the Under-20 World Cup this year in Turkey. South American powers Brazil and Argentina have been eliminated. Peru and Ecuador are still in contention.