FIFA rule dashes Arteta England hopes
In recent weeks there has been a campaign growing around the
Everton midfielder, who had been led to believe he would be
eligible for England after completing five years residency in the
United Kingdom. Because Arteta has never played for Spain, it
appeared he would be able to switch national allegiances once he
had been granted UK citizenship. Earlier this week, the Football
Association stressed they had not been asked to investigate the
matter by Fabio Capello, although it was thought the England coach
had spoken briefly to Arteta, who was said to be enthusiastic about
the prospect. However, it now transpires Arteta is almost certainly
not eligible at all. “Under our understanding of FIFA rules the
player is ineligible to play for England,” an FA spokesman said on
Wednesday evening. While world governing body FIFA are anxious not
to pre-judge any request from the FA, it has been pointed out the
rules on previously appearing for national sides do not cover full
internationals alone. The little known Article 18.1.a within the
FIFA statutes outlines that any player who has represented their
country in an official competition, at whatever level, would at
that time need to have held a passport for the country they later
wish to play for in order to be permitted to make the switch. In
Arteta’s case, because he played for Spain in the Under-16 European
Championships and then in the FIFA World Championships at Under-17
level, the only way he could satisfy the current criteria is if he
held a UK passport at the same time. It hardly seems likely a
28-year-old from San Sebastian would have gained such a document
over a decade ago, which means that even if an application to FIFA
was made on the FA’s behalf, it would automatically be rejected.
This news is bound to come as a blow to Arteta, and maybe even
Capello. However, it does save an awful lot of controversy, not
least because Scotland boss Craig Levein recently pointed out a
gentleman’s agreement between the four Home Nations where they have
all vowed not to exploit eligibility loopholes.