FIFA clarifying Nationality eligibility

[squid2]

some dry reading,

but the newly added article 18, paragraph 2 is what I was told was the delay for Tam Nsaliwa, and his situation won't be reolved in time for either St V matches.

from FIFA's 58th Congress, Sydney Australia -May 29 & 30th

13.2 REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE APPLICATION OF THE STATUTES

13.2.1 Eligibility to play for representative teams

Explanation:

The objective is the complete integration of the various circulars and provisions within the regulations into the FIFA Statutes without altering the current legal situation (cf. Annexe 2 of the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, circular no. 901 dated 19 March 2004 and circular no. 1093 dated 21 June 2007). Under the proposal approved by the Executive Committee, all relevant provisions have been summarised and added to the Regulations Governing the Application of the Statutes.

Accordingly, art. 15 in the chapter “Eligibility to play for representative teams” of the Regulations Governing the Application of the Statutes should be amended and new art. 16 to 18 should be included.

Art. 15 - Principle

Current text

15 Principle

1. Any person holding the nationality of a country is eligible to play for the representative teams of the Association of that country. The Executive Committee shall decide on the conditions of eligibility for any Player who has not played international football in accordance with par. 2 below, and either acquires a new nationality or is eligible to play for the teams of more than one Association due to his nationality.

2. With the exception of the conditions specified in par. 3 and 4 below, any Player who has already represented one Association in a match (either in full or in part) in an official competition of any category or any type of football may not play an international match for a representative team of another Association.

Proposed text </u>

15 Principle

1. Any person holding a permanent </u> nationality that is not dependent on residence</u> in a certain</u> country is eligible to play for the representative teams of the Association of that country.

2. With the exception of the conditions specified in article 18 </u> below, any Player who has already participated</u> in a match (either in full or in part) in an official competition of any category or any type of football for one Association</u> may not play an international match for a representative team of another Association.

Art. 16 - Nationality entitling players to represent more than one Association (new)

16 Nationality entitling players to represent more than one Association

1. A player who, under the terms of art. 15, is eligible to represent more than one Association on account of his nationality, may play in an international match for one of these Associations only if, in addition to having the relevant nationality, he

fulfils at least one of the following conditions:

(a) he was born on the territory of the relevant Association;

( his biological mother or biological father was born on the territory of the relevant Association;

© his grandmother or grandfather was born on the territory of the relevant Association;

(d) he has lived on the territory of the relevant Association for at least two years without interruption.

2. Regardless of par. 1 above, Associations sharing a common nationality may make an agreement under which item (d) of par. 1 of this article is deleted completely or amended to specify a longer time limit. Such agreements shall be lodged with and approved by the

Executive Committee. </u>

Art. 17 - Acquisition of a new nationality (new)

17 Acquisition of a new nationality Any player who refers to art.15 par. 1 to assume a new nationality and who has not played international football in accordance with art. 15 par. 2 shall be eligible to play for the new representative team only if he fulfils one of the following conditions:

(a) the player was born on the territory of the relevant Association;

( his biological mother or biological father was born on the territory of the relevant Association;

© his grandmother or grandfather was born on the territory of the relevant Association;

(d) he has lived continuously for at least two years on the territory of the relevant Association. </u>

Art. 18 - Change of Association (new)

From Art. 15 Principle

(Current text)

3. If a Player has more than one nationality, or if a Player acquires a new nationality, or if a Player is eligible to play for several Associations’ teams due to nationality, he may, up to his 21st birthday, request to change the Association for which he is eligible to play international matches to the Association of another country of which he holds nationality, subject to the following conditions:

(a) He has not played a match (either in full or in part) at “A” international level for his current Association, and if at the time of his first full or partial appearance in an international match in

an official competition for his current Association, he already had the nationality of the Association’s team for which he wishes to play.

( He is not permitted to play for his new Association in any competition in which he has already played for his previous Association. A player may exercise this right only once.

4. If a Player who has been fielded by his Association in an international match in accordance with par. 2 above permanently loses the nationality of that country without his consent or against

his will due to a decision by a government authority, he may request permission to play for another Association whose nationality he already has or has acquired.

5. Any Player who has the right to change Associations in accordance with par. 3 and 4 above shall submit a written, substantiated request to the FIFA general secretariat. The Players’ Status Committee shall decide on the request. The procedure will be in accordance with the Rules Governing the Procedures of the Players’ Status Committee and the Dispute Resolution Chamber. Once the player has filed his request, he is not eligible to play for any Association team until his request has been processed.

18 Change of Association (Proposed</u>)

1. If a Player has more than one nationality, or if a Player acquires a new nationality, or if a Player is eligible to play for several representative teams due to nationality, he may, up to his 21st birthday, and only once</u>, request to change the Association for which he is eligible to play international matches to the Association of another country of which he holds nationality, subject to the following conditions:

(a) He has not played a match (either in full or in part) in an official competition</u> at “A” international level for his current Association, and at the time of his first full or partial

appearance in an international match in an official competition for his current Association, he already had the nationality of the representative team for which he wishes to play.

( He is not permitted to play for his new Association in any competition in which he has already played for his previous Association.

2. If a Player who has been fielded by his Association in an international match in accordance with art. 15 par. 2</u> permanently loses the nationality of that country without his consent or against his will due to a decision by a government authority, he may request permission to play for another Association whose nationality he already has or has acquired.

3. Any Player who has the right to change Associations in accordance with par. 1 and 2</u> above shall submit a written, substantiated request to the FIFA general secretariat. The Players’ Status Committee shall decide on the request. The procedure will be in accordance with the Rules Governing the Procedures of the Players’ Status Committee and the Dispute Resolution Chamber. Once the player has filed his request, he is not eligible to play for any representative team until his request has been processed.

http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/affederation/bodies/fifa%5fcongress%5f08%5fagenda%5f47752.pdf

[Rivaldo]

Thanks for posting this.

How does 18.2 apply to Tam? Canada didn't take away his citizenship.

[loyola]

quote:Originally posted by Rivaldo

Thanks for posting this.

How does 18.2 apply to Tam? Canada didn't take away his citizenship.

I think Tam accepted to forfeit his citizenship in order to get the German citizenship. So, 18.2 doesn't apply here.

[Daniel]

"(d) he has lived on the territory of the relevant Association for at least two years without interruption. "

Am I missing something or is this terrible news for us, with all our youths playing abroad?

[youllneverwalkalone]

quote:Originally posted by Daniel

"(d) he has lived on the territory of the relevant Association for at least two years without interruption. "

Am I missing something or is this terrible news for us, with all our youths playing abroad?

I guess Marc Bircham's records are safe!

[CanadasBest]

quote:Originally posted by Daniel

"(d) he has lived on the territory of the relevant Association for at least two years without interruption. "

Am I missing something or is this terrible news for us, with all our youths playing abroad?

I think it means that the player has to hold nationality and be a resident of the country for at least 2 years. To stop countries like Qatar from granting citizenship to half of Brazil.

[jpg75]

^ Art. 17 - Acquisition of a new nationality (new)

17 Acquisition of a new nationality Any player who refers to art.15 par. 1 to assume a new nationality and who has not played international football in accordance with art. 15 par. 2 shall be eligible to play for the new representative team only if he fulfils one of the following conditions:

(a) the player was born on the territory of the relevant Association;

( his biological mother or biological father was born on the territory of the relevant Association;

© his grandmother or grandfather was born on the territory of the relevant Association;

(d) he has lived continuously for at least two years on the territory of the relevant Association.

As Daniel mentioned, that's horrible news for us. But hey, we can cap Danny Dichio next summer [xx(]

[Rivaldo]

Why is 17(d) bad news for Canada? Who are you hoping to poach?

As long as our players have lived here for two years before they go abroad (or qualify under a,b or c) there is no problem.

Bircham's situation would still qualify under 17©. His grandfather was born in Winnipeg.

[Daniel]

quote:Originally posted by Rivaldo

Why is 17(d) bad news for Canada? Who are you hoping to poach?

As long as our players have lived here for two years before they go abroad (or qualify under a,b or c) there is no problem.

Bircham's situation would still qualify under 17©. His grandfather was born in Winnipeg.

It seems to say that any of our players living in the same country for two years would be eligible for the national team, no matter if they hold citizenship or not.

So, for example, JBB would be eligible to play for Germany as he's been in Saint-Pauli's system for a few years.

[Rivaldo]

quote:Originally posted by Daniel

So, for example, JBB would be eligible to play for Germany as he's been in Saint-Pauli's system for a few years.

They still have to get citizenship (which was already required). For most countries, citizenship requires more than just living there for two years.

The 17(d) is just to prevent instant citizens like gwallace76 mentioned.

[jpg75]

After re-reading, it appears you guys are right. Thank god! Though it would go without saying that a player would have lived in another country for more than 2 years to acquire their citizenship...although does section d) mean the players can't go home during breaks in the season and have to stay in their new country continuously if they hope to play internationally?

Might Jono have been ineligible for the Dutch under this rule? Do his summer visits back to Canada constitute a break in his "continuous living"?

[Daniel]

It also eliminates citizenship through marriage.

[jpg75]

Here's the current version of Article 15 straight from the FIFA site. The one i had been keeping for reference appears to be out of date since the "any category" has been removed from the text.

Article 15 Principle

1) Any person holding the nationality of a country is eligible to play for

the representative teams of the Association of that country. The

Executive Committee shall decide on the conditions of eligibility

for any Player who has not played international football in accordance

with par. 2 below, and either acquires a new nationality or is

eligible to play for the teams of more than one Association due to

his nationality.

2) With the exception of the conditions specified in par. 3 and 4 below,

any Player who has already represented one Association in a match

(either in full or in part) in an official competition of any category or

any type of football may not play an international match for a representative

team of another Association.

3) If a Player has more than one nationality, or if a Player acquires a new

nationality, or if a Player is eligible to play for several Associations’

teams due to nationality, he may, up to his 21st birthday, request

to change the Association for which he is eligible to play international

matches to the Association of another country of which he

holds nationality, subject to the following conditions:

(a) He has not played a match (either in full or in part) at “A” international

level for his current Association, and if at the time of his

first full or partial appearance in an international match in an

official competition for his current Association, he already had

the nationality of the Association’s team for which he wishes to

play.

( He is not permitted to play for his new Association in any competition

in which he has already played for his previous Association.

A player may exercise this right only once.

4) If a Player who has been fielded by his Association in an international

match in accordance with par. 2 above permanently loses the

nationality of that country without his consent or against his will due

to a decision by a government authority, he may request permission

to play for another Association whose nationality he already has

or has acquired.

5) Any Player who has the right to change Associations in accordance

with par. 3 and 4 above shall submit a written, substantiated request

to the FIFA general secretariat. The Players’ Status Committee shall

decide on the request. The procedure will be in accordance with the

Rules Governing the Procedures of the Players’ Status Committee

and the Dispute Resolution Chamber. Once the player has filed his

request, he is not eligible to play for any Association team until his

request has been processed.

[Rivaldo]

I read an Associated Press article that says "FIFA passed a rule last month requiring players to have lived continuously in a country for at least five years before being allowed to change their soccer citizenship."

Is the story accurate? Did FIFA alter the proposed two year requirement?

[SoccerNewf]

That's what I heard Rivaldo.

[jpg75]

quote:Originally posted by Rivaldo

I read an Associated Press article that says "FIFA passed a rule last month requiring players to have lived continuously in a country for at least five years before being allowed to change their soccer citizenship."

Is the story accurate? Did FIFA alter the proposed two year requirement?

Yes, this is the reason Ugo Ihemelu cannot play for us yet.

[Rivaldo]

Effective May 30, art. 17 (d) now reads: "he has lived continuously for at least five years after reaching the age of 18 on the territory of the relevant Association."

[Kibby]

quote:Originally posted by Rivaldo

Effective May 30, art. 17 (d) now reads: "he has lived continuously for at least five years after reaching the age of 18 on the territory of the relevant Association."

5 years in a country after turning 18? What does that mean to Jonathan De Guzman?

[jpg75]

quote:Originally posted by Kibby

5 years in a country after turning 18? What does that mean to Jonathan De Guzman?

Nothing since he already received his Dutch citizenship, passed the residency requirements under the old rules and became cap-tied to the Dutch before the new rules came into play.

[Rivaldo]

But it would have been an issue had he not already played in a competitive match. He still could have played for the Netherlands, but he would have had to wait until after the 2010 World Cup.

Maybe this rule change will be good for Canada. If only it came 66 days earlier.

[jpg75]

quote:Originally posted by Rivaldo

But it would have been an issue had he not already played in a competitive match. He still could have played for the Netherlands, but he would have had to wait until after the 2010 World Cup.

Maybe this rule change will be good for Canada. If only it came 66 days earlier.

Exactly.

In the future this should help us out immensely. Unfortunately, any grand plans to cap-tie all our foreign MLS players (if MTL and VAN come on board) just hit a speed bump.

[Rivaldo]

After Jonathan stated that he would play for the Netherlands, I gave up on him ever playing for Canada, but this has given me a bit of hope.

If Jonathan knew that this rule change was coming and hadn't made up his mind, this would be the only way to keep the option of playing for Holland in 2010. Maybe he was telling Dobson the truth, then found out that this change was coming. The only way to keep both options open was to play for Holland before it came in.

If Jonathan truly hasn't made up his mind, that would explain Julian's comment in the FIFA interview, that Jonathan could change his mind.

Obviously, the simplest explanation is that he's playing for Holland because he's decided that's what he wants, but I now think there is another possibility. Am I grasping at straws or does this make sense?

[Razcle]

how would this have affected our Manchester United boi?

[Rivaldo]

Why did you have to ruin a perfectly good thread by mentioning him?