http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/public...cle3953916.eceRafael Da Silva seriously considered defecting from Brazil to play for England before the controversial “nationality” debate exploded around Adnan Januzaj, his Manchester United team-mate.Rafael, who could be eligible to represent England under a five-year residency rule, told his United team-mates in September that he was mulling over the idea of declaring his allegiance for his adopted country.
Although the defender, 23, has played twice in friendlies for Brazil and represented his country’s under-23 team at the Olympic Games in London last year, he could qualify for England on the grounds that he has spent at least five years at United — whom he joined from Fluminense in 2008 — though Fifa would have to ratify the move.
The idea is thought to have been floated to Rafael by a third party and initially appealed to the right back, who is eager to play in the World Cup in his homeland next summer.
Yet only weeks after mentioning it to team-mates, the debate over dual or split nationalities took on new life when it emerged that the FA hoped to persuade Januzaj, United’s teenage winger, to represent England.
Rafael, who also has Portuguese citizenship and had previously indicated an interest in representing Portugal, opted not to pursue the England option and will instead try to force his way into Brazil’s World Cup squad.
The FA is known to be exploring in depth the issue of dual and split nationalities but, unlike Januzaj, the Rafael case is not thought to be one they were pursuing.
Januzaj is already eligible to represent Belgium, Albania, Turkey and Serbia. Nonetheless, the FA is hoping to persuade him to play for England eventually. Fifa rules state a player is eligible if “he has lived continuously for at least five years after reaching the age of 18 on the territory of the relevant association.”
Januzaj joined United in 2011 but only turned 18 in February so if the rules were strictly applied the player would have to wait until 2018 to represent England, provided he remained in the country.
I'm assuming this is another misunderstanding. According to wikipedia, Rafael played 12 times for Brazil U17s, so he would be ineligible for England as he didn't have English nationality at the time he played underage competitive football.
There's that and there's the minor detail that even if he had not played for Brazil, he still wouldn't be eligible for England unless he had some parent/ grandparent connection. The UK associations dropped the residency option in 2009.Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin
Aye, but the Brit.media don't think so...
Bradley Smith, who made his debut for Liverpool today, could be in the middle of an eligibility row between his native Australia and England, who he's represented at underage levels qualifying through residency: http://www.foxsports.com.au/football...-1226791132501
This is what confuses me. He moved to England aged 14. He played U17 for England, so he was in England three years max. He couldn't possibly have qualified under residency rules, so he must have an English parent or grandparent.
England born Northern Ireland International Oliver Norwood is being linked with a move to Celtic.
Is this relevant to this thread?
There are no doubts about Norwoods eligibility for the IFA.
DID YOU NOTICE A SIGN OUTSIDE MY HOUSE...?
My bad.
Entries into the quagmire that is this thread should be made with consideration to all who have all gone before you.
As you are new here I would suggest you avoid it like the plague.
Failing that, read this (http://playereligibilityinireland.bl...ontext-of.html) and maybe dip into some previous pages of this thread for a flavour of the hell you're about to impart upon yourself grasshopper.
And may God have mercy on your soul.
DID YOU NOTICE A SIGN OUTSIDE MY HOUSE...?
I first read that as "eligibility for the IRA"
Can't see him in the latter stages of Champions' League to be honest.
He's a lazy sod anyhow. One of the most infuriating players I've seen play for Huddersfield.
possibly the educational route ?
Still has to be 5 years.
Whilst doing a bit of research on stat site transfermarkt I noticed that David McGoldrick the Ipswich forward is listed as Irish however his place of birth is Nottingham. I have never heard him mentioned before on here anyone know if he is eligible? he seems to be having a decent enough season with 11 goals so far.
AFAIR he's one of those ones that falls into the category of "it's been mentioned here a few times and someone's probably answered but no one really remembers or cares enough to check themselves but sure we'll lay a claim to him anyways".
I like high energy football. A little bit rock and roll. Many finishes instead of waiting for the perfect one.
Ah one of those middle of the road Championship standard players with a vaguely Irish surname i.e. McGugan, so he must be eligible.
Soccerbase has loads of Irish born players down as Scottish, English and Northern Irish so I wouldn't be using any of these sites as a litmus test for eligibility.
Last edited by TheOneWhoKnocks; 03/01/2014 at 1:44 AM.
According to the end of this article, David McGoldrick is eligible (Irish grandparents) and as of mid-December was planning to contact the FAI to make them aware of this.
http://www.independent.ie/sport/socc...-29843312.html
By definition that's Anyone who ever played for the North.
Hmm.
He scored again yesterday although it was admittedly this was only after the keeper saved his initial penalty shot! if he keeps this goal scoring form up he would be worth a call up for one of the up coming friendlies. Up front seems like its going to be a problem area for us especially once Robbie Keane calls it a day.
At least one of his parents is English born, therefore he can.
http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/news/...tralia-in-mind
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