Jay Bernard Posted July 28, 2008 Report Share Posted July 28, 2008 (edited) Something came into my head today. If Spain continue to ignore Arteta for a call up can it be possible that some time in the future he could play for England. Almunia the Arsenal keeper would be able to play soon if England wanted him after aquiring an English passport. Is it a possibility? Edited July 28, 2008 by Jay Bernard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeO Posted July 28, 2008 Report Share Posted July 28, 2008 Is it a possibility? No. In general players need to become naturalized citizens of the UK, not sure on the legal qualifications for that but as far as Mikel's concerned he played seven games for Spain's U-21's so there's no possibility at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romey 1878 Posted July 28, 2008 Report Share Posted July 28, 2008 The Under 21 caps don't matter now, you can still swap which country you play for aslong as you haven't played for the country at full level Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeO Posted July 28, 2008 Report Share Posted July 28, 2008 FIFA Article 18 1. Any player who is a naturalized citizen of a country in virtue of that country’s laws shall be eligible to play for a national or representative team of that country. 2. If a player has been included in a national or representative team of a country for which he is eligible to play pursuant to paragraph 1, he shall not be permitted to take part in an international match for another country. Accordingly, any player who is qualified to play for more than one national association (i.e. who has dual nationality) will be deemed to have committed himself to one association only when he plays his first international match in an official competition (at any level) for that association. 3. The only players exempt from this provision are those whose nationality has been changed not voluntarily but as the result of an international decree either granting independence to a region or ceding part of one country to another. That's the rule as far as I can see Mark....has it been changed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fozastuta Posted July 28, 2008 Report Share Posted July 28, 2008 U21 players can switch countries, however FIFA had a deadline where players over the age of 21, recieving U21 caps only, could switch nations, Ben Thatcher being one. The rule now only applies to players under the age of 21. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeO Posted July 28, 2008 Report Share Posted July 28, 2008 Yup, got it....it was a change in the rules from a FIFA meeting in Qatar in 2003.... Fifa have introduced a new rule that allows a footballer capped at junior level to be able to later represent another country, but only as long as he possesses dual nationality and makes the request to change nationality under the age of 21. So the answer to the original question is still no, because you have to be under twenty-one to do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay Bernard Posted July 28, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 28, 2008 Thanks for the info guys, it was just something that got me thinking Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebluenose Posted July 29, 2008 Report Share Posted July 29, 2008 anichebe did that or didnt he Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Romey 1878 Posted July 29, 2008 Report Share Posted July 29, 2008 anichebe did that or didnt he He hadn't played for either country yet so he still had a choice to play for either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Louis Posted July 29, 2008 Report Share Posted July 29, 2008 If Arteta wanted to and David Moyes allowed him to, Arteta could play in exhibition games for the Basque nation. That's the only other nation he is still eligible for. http://www.eff-fvf.org/pub/home.asp?idioma=eu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mac Posted July 29, 2008 Report Share Posted July 29, 2008 Flying in the face of opinion here, but I dont give a fat rats arse if our players are internationals or not. It is just more games for players to get injured and as for the farce of ACON each year that just pisses me off. ATB Mac Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Berno Posted July 29, 2008 Report Share Posted July 29, 2008 Flying in the face of opinion here, but I dont give a fat rats arse if our players are internationals or not. It is just more games for players to get injured and as for the farce of ACON each year that just pisses me off. ATB Mac I think thats a bit harsh am sure if you were a player you would want to play for your country wouldn't you? I know I would agree about the ACON it's ludicrous . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raccyboy Posted July 29, 2008 Report Share Posted July 29, 2008 another thought: if arteta was handed a passport and an england cap tomorrow, would he want to take it? I think not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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