Emm

There has been a discussion in GQ, concerning the legality of FM's take on a player gaining UK citizenship after 5 years.

It has been suggested by some, that a player is eligible to represent any of the home nations after living there for 5 years, if they haven't previously represented their primary nation at any level first.

Others have countered, that the "1993 gentlemans agreement" prohibits this from happening as each nation would limit itself to players to home a "bloodline" could be traced.

As FM08 seems to have pulled up it's socks in the International management department, the LLM world may need clarification on this point as it appears it may be a VERY grey area.

retired_starly

How would you be able to trace a bloodline of a player in FM?

retired_crazybonejr

I don't know if you've actually played the game, merkezekrem, but players have their birthplaces listed in their profile. Birthplaces are the main indicator of nationalities, though there are exceptions.

retired_rdalip

Hmmm,

A mate works as a lawyer/solicitor for the Directorate-Generale for Education and Culture within the EU. He's dealt a lot with Sport related issues like this, and in context of employment (the whole being able to be an EU national etc).

This sounds like it could be within his realm. I'll send him a mail and see what he says about it and what he think EU would make of it.

Emm

I suppose that bloodline could be included by way of multiple nationalities. Isn't that part of it included in the game already?

ie. A player who was born in England to a Scottish Dad and an Irish mum would have all three ad nationalities.

As fof birth places having any relevance with regard to bloodline .

retired_starly

Bloodline goes a bit deeper than birthplace, like grandmothers birthday place, I guessed. To trace would mean more than looking at his passport, I thought. I hardly remember a player from England was able to play for a Caribean Nation after proving that his ancestors were from that country.

Emm

I'm not really asking for the real life ruling, (as I think I have clarified the position, at least to my satisfaction). It's more an "in game LLM ruling" that I'm looking for.

The problem is that the game has it wrong because a player must "declare" for his 2nd Nation by his 21st birthday and the game is obviously not correct in this instance.

Obviously we have a while before FM08 comes out and LLM (International) becomes an issue, but I would suggest that if this ruling isn't changed within the game then the LLM position should be not to take advantage of it.

retired_pmetzger1

What about that Ipswich striker that most of the Home Nations (except Poofland) were trying to call up - or was he already a British citizen?

I can't think of many "naturalised" players - the Chelsea reserve keeper was talked about for a bit though.

Not sure I have a point in this post BTW

KingsbayYHPE

True story.

A Ukranian who played for Ipswich and St Johnstone settled in Scotland eventually, with his family, has a son and daughter who play football and tennis respectively and have both represented Scotland and were both born in Ukraine.

No other link except residency.

Emm

That's historical choccy/biccie bloke.

The FIFA statutes have recently been changed though to clarify the position. They now state that if you are to declare for a Nation other than that in which you were born, then you need to do so before your 21st birthday.

Residency is fine, as long as the player declares before his 21st birthday, which is not how it is in the game.