I'm no expert but I find this a very weird argument. As you say the rule you mentioned is a United Kingdom rule. My understanding is that legally there's no such thing as English or Welsh citizenship, just British.
In this sense it becomes a matter of choice for the player, as he has connections with both countries, and under FIFA rules it is up to him. It is not because he's an English national or a Welsh national - he's a British national that under FIFA rules can play for both England or Welsh national teams.
IF Wales left the UK, then the rules that would apply for gaining Welsh citizenship could be entirely different. I would guess they would very probably apply similar rules to the Irish, although at this point it is irrelevant as they are part of the UK.
Can players play football for a team just for having a grandparent from that country? Yes
Can players live in a country just based on having a grandparent from there? Most countries no.
Players can represent a country and not be allowed to live there.
If a Chinese man had a Welsh grandparent he could play for Wales too, that same person could even be refused domicile in UK.
I would like FIFA to relax the binding thing. Woodburn should be given the right to change his mind in 5 or 10 years if he wanted too. Hopefully the rule will change.
I have never seen a player as good as Woodburn at 17. If his rate of development continues like this, he will make Gareth Bale look like Ngog.
« Last Edit: Sep 03, 2017 11:26:16 pm by Ribapuru »
Logged