New rule to allow players to switch sides

[Gian-Luca]

Here's a summary of it in an article for ESPN Soccernet. I put it in this forum to consider the possibilities this new rule might have for the Canadian team. Doesn't look like the rule could change things for too many players, but it does leave the door open for somebody like Marcel De Jong to play for Holland (even though he played for us at the U17 tourney earlier this year). I'm not saying its likely or probable in his case, but it is now possible (until he turns 21 or plays for the senior team).

Monday, December 22, 2003

Players get go-ahead to switch sides

Tottenham striker Frederic Kanoute and Newcastle forward Shola Ameobi are among a group of players who could transfer their international allegiances next year under a new FIFA ruling.

FIFA will give all players with dual nationalities next year in which to change national teams - as long as they have not already represented a country at senior level.

The decision was taken at FIFA's congress in mid-October but the ruling does not come into force until January 1.

It stipulates that any player aged under 21 who has not played at senior level and already had dual nationality at the time of his first competitive international game at any level can thereafter switch associations once in his career.

However, the statute added: 'Any players who have already had their 21st birthday at the time of the implementation of this provision and who fulfil the requirements are also entitled to submit a request to change associations.

'This entitlement will expire definitively 12 months after the implementation of this provision.'

The ruling could affect the international career of Kanoute, who has previously represented France at Under-21 level but has now been called up into Mali's African Nations Cup squad.

It could also, at least theoretically, give Ameobi the chance to play for Nigeria as the Newcastle forward, who has similarly represented England at Under-21 level, is also qualified to play for the Super Eagles.

However, the Newcastle forward has previously insisted that his heart is with England, while Sven-Goran Eriksson has also indicated the likelihood that he will give him a senior call-up in the near future.

The new ruling states any player wishing to change country should send a 'written and substantiated request to the FIFA general secretariat' and this would be ruled on by FIFA's players' status committee.

[Guest Dave]

I would have been more worried about the implications of this rule under the Osieck regime. Now however, I am hopeful that the FRANK YALLOP EXPERIENCE will fill our young players with hope, joy, and dare I say it, good vibes to play for their country. Peace out!

[An Observer]

I wonder if there are any players in the Kanoute/Ameobi situation who once played U-21 football for someone else but are eligible to play for Canada now as they have not played senior football for their original nation. It could expand our player pool.

some possible names:

Kevin Sharp, Left Back (England, S****hrope United) (Could be good cover at left back, and has to be better than Hastings?). Link to his profile on their website http://www.s****horpe-united.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Profiles/0,,10442~9965,00.html

Gary Holt, Central Midfielder (Scotland, Norwich) (Says he is a full Scottish International but I am not sure whether he has actually played in a WCQ or EuroQ so maybe still available. Remember he had some connection to Canada and wanted to play before but believe could not qualify as played Scottish U-21). Link to website http://www.canaries.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Squad/0,,10355~7009,00.html?ptvParm=

Simon Lynch, Forward (Scotland, Preston North End) (Recently choose to play for Scotland but as with Holt, not sure if this was Senior or U-21, Not really producing anything at loan at Stockport but one to keep a watch on) Link to webiste http://www.pnefc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Profiles/0,,10362~23298,00.html

Mark Chung, Midfielder (US, Colorado Rapids) (I think he has played for the US in official qualifying for WC or Gold Cup, but possibly worth checking out). Link to website http://www.coloradorapids.com/site/goal.asp?cid=107

I think its worth the CSA sniffing around a bit to see if we can add a player or two to our pool for the next world cup qualifying.

[An Observer]

I have to say that I find it pretty funny that the name of Kevin Sharp's side has been edited automatically by the forum. In order to use the link, you will have to use your imagination and add the 4 missing letters yourself.

[Ryan Keay]

quote:Originally posted by An Observer

I wonder if there are any players in the Kanoute/Ameobi situation who once played U-21 football for someone else but are eligible to play for Canada now as they have not played senior football for their original nation. It could expand our player pool.

some possible names:

Kevin Sharp, Left Back (England, S****hrope United) (Could be good cover at left back, and has to be better than Hastings?). Link to his profile on their website http://www.s****horpe-united.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Profiles/0,,10442~9965,00.html

Yup, he'd be available.. no full England caps for him, and yeah, probably better than Hastings. Then again, we might have a few other guys better than Hastings around

quote:

Gary Holt, Central Midfielder (Scotland, Norwich) (Says he is a full Scottish International but I am not sure whether he has actually played in a WCQ or EuroQ so maybe still available. Remember he had some connection to Canada and wanted to play before but believe could not qualify as played Scottish U-21). Link to website http://www.canaries.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Squad/0,,10355~7009,00.html?ptvParm=

Played against Croatia in WCQ for about 1 minute in 2000, so hes definitely a no go.

quote:

Simon Lynch, Forward (Scotland, Preston North End) (Recently choose to play for Scotland but as with Holt, not sure if this was Senior or U-21, Not really producing anything at loan at Stockport but one to keep a watch on) Link to webiste http://www.pnefc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Profiles/0,,10362~23298,00.html

From a google search, is without a cap for the full side, so hes potentially available. I think he said he wants to try his luck with Scotland first, so I wouldnt think he would come into the picture for another few years though. Hes worth keeping our eye on though.

quote:

Mark Chung, Midfielder (US, Colorado Rapids) (I think he has played for the US in official qualifying for WC or Gold Cup, but possibly worth checking out). Link to website http://www.coloradorapids.com/site/goal.asp?cid=107

He's defnitely got tonnes of caps for the States (in the 30s maybe even)

[bettermirror]

but do these fellas have canadian ties??

of those guys i'd only want lynch (as we are short up front) and chung (as he's the best). we got better players.

[marcl_19]

This is a very intreging post...

Sharp's club is Sc u n thorpe. It's third division in england. We definitly have better, but he's likely better than hastings. He has 28 starts this season, ith 8 yellow cards and 2 goals. Since hes 3rd div He obviously has no chance at Playing for the enlgand squad. I wouldn't mind giving him a look. As for Holt....we already have good mids. He's not a nessecity. He has 25 starts and 2 yellows. Lynch being a forward is some1 to look at, and chung is already out of the picture as ryan said he has caps already.

does n e one else know of any other lads with canadian blood?

[Marc]

I think Holt would probably serve to be a good admission, but it's moot as Ryan says on the cap front, and also, his ties to Canada are pretty slim and he's not eligible for citizenship without settling here first (or so I read.)

[JayWay]

Finally.

Now I can see out my dream of representing Chinese Taipei on the international stage.