RJB Posted September 23, 2010 Share Posted September 23, 2010 http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/9026867.stm Reo-Coker turns down Sierra Leone Mohamed Fajah Barrie BBC Sport, Freetown Nigel Reo-Coker Reo-Coker wants to fight for a place in the England squad Aston Villa midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker has turned down an invitation to play for Sierra Leone. Leone Stars coach Christian Cole was keen to recruit the England-born star, who is of Sierra Leone descent. But the 26-year-old has written to the Sierra Leone FA advising them he still has ambitions to play for England. "I'm flattered by the invitation to play for Sierra Leone and I want to thank the SLFA as I consider it as a mark of respect," Reo-Coker said. "But I can't play for Sierra Leone because at the moment my concentration is to win a regular place in my club Aston Villa. "Besides, I believe I still have the prospect to play for England as I'm still young to fight for a place." The president of the SLFA Nahim Khadi was naturally disappointed by the 26-year-old player's decision. Khadi said: "I'm disappointed with Reo-Coker's decision because I was convinced that he would accept our invitations. "I think he knows what's best for him and he believes the decision he has taken is his own best interest." Reo-Coker captained England at under-21 level but has yet to play for the senior national team, making him eligible to play for the Leone Stars under Fifa's national regulations. He is the second English footballer with Sierra Leonean roots to have rejected an invitation to play for the Leone Stars in recent months. Former Crystal Palace and Sheffield United striker Steve Kabba, now with Barnet, also spurned the offer of an international future with the West African nation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJB Posted September 23, 2010 Author Share Posted September 23, 2010 Here's my problem: He only turns them down because he still has plans to play for England. Does this mean if he was 30 he would choose Sierra Leone? If a player turns down a country(including Canada) it should be for no other reason than them not feeling a connection or loyalty to that country. It shouldn't matter the state of the federation, or the quality of the side, or the distance needed to travel. Any decision to represent a national team should be based solely on your feelings/heart. You choose a club for money, and a nation based on love. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul-collins Posted September 23, 2010 Share Posted September 23, 2010 He was born in England. He grew up in their system. He turned down another nation that he's allowed to play for based on his "roots". He's been polite about it. I don't see what's the issue here. If anything, having put it in writing is showing a lot more courtesy than we've had from our own fence sitters. All I see is SR looking for legitimacy in the press. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJB Posted September 23, 2010 Author Share Posted September 23, 2010 His turning them down is not my issue. He didn't turn them down because he's English, he turned them down because he's not ready to give up England. To me, that implies that he would play for them, if he were a bit older, which smacks not of nationalism, but of opportunism. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul-collins Posted September 23, 2010 Share Posted September 23, 2010 His turning them down is not my issue. He didn't turn them down because he's English, he turned them down because he's not ready to give up England. To me, that implies that he would play for them, if he were a bit older, which smacks not of nationalism, but of opportunism. Where you see opportunism I see civility, but otherwise ok. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheKottonmouthed1555362307 Posted September 23, 2010 Share Posted September 23, 2010 Yeah and he was born in england raised in england and plays in england, what connection to Seirra Leone could he possibily have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thescottc Posted September 23, 2010 Share Posted September 23, 2010 Perhaps he's just afraid of going to Sierra Leone. I would be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheKottonmouthed1555362307 Posted September 24, 2010 Share Posted September 24, 2010 Perhaps he's just afraid of going to Sierra Leone. I would be. Or having to play in the African's Cup which is a debacle right after they suspended Togo for withdrawing because they were attacked by terroists. I know I can't blame an English player for not wanting to go, I'm glad he was respectful and polite about it. People think International play no matter what is the holy grail, it isn't. As an English player I'm sure his most prized goal is winning the EPL, and being a big part of the cause, he won't get that chance in Villa if he is Africa playing meaningless games against Angola Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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