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Declan Rice pledges future to England

Coneilly

Well-Known Member
Oct 24, 2007
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This kind of issue stems from a lot of the smaller footballing nations tapping up players when they are young.
 

nailsy

SC Supporter
Jul 24, 2005
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46,628
Players are asked to declare for a country at too young an age. Some of these guys are playing International football when they're sixteen. I don't see a problem with players being allowed to change their nationality up until they're 20/21.
 

leonspurs

Well-Known Member
Jun 8, 2006
1,550
912
These posts in a Sol Campbell thread wouldn’t compute.

Good luck? I hope the Gods of football shit on him from a great height.
Don't worry dougal I am sure he will take uphis ?? passport for Brexit, so at least you will have that ?
 

Dougal

Staff
Jun 4, 2004
60,345
129,920
Players are asked to declare for a country at too young an age. Some of these guys are playing International football when they're sixteen. I don't see a problem with players being allowed to change their nationality up until they're 20/21.
So the age he is now? That’s a convenient rule. Are people that confused by nationality when they’re young? By 16-18 you’re making decisions about sex, gambling, alcohol, marriage, driving, your educational path and possibly the start of your career path for the rest of your life. But give footballers another few years to sort out what colour t-shirt they want to play football in. It’s too much pressure on their poor little minds.
 

dontcallme

SC Supporter
Mar 18, 2005
33,986
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So the age he is now? That’s a convenient rule. Are people that confused by nationality when they’re young? By 16-18 you’re making decisions about sex, gambling, alcohol, marriage, driving, your educational path and possibly the start of your career path for the rest of your life. But give footballers another few years to sort out what colour t-shirt they want to play football in. It’s too much pressure on their poor little minds.

It is an interesting one. Nationality is so blurred nowadays.

If a 16 year old with dual nationality plays for one country at U18s and once an adult changes his mind, personally I am fine with that.

In this case Rice has played for Ireland at full international level so for me that should be it, he plays for Ireland.
 

Dougal

Staff
Jun 4, 2004
60,345
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It is an interesting one. Nationality is so blurred nowadays.

If a 16 year old with dual nationality plays for one country at U18s and once an adult changes his mind, personally I am fine with that.

In this case Rice has played for Ireland at full international level so for me that should be it, he plays for Ireland.
3 Internationals and lots more games at various age levels. Under past rulings that was enough and a player would spend the rest of his career decision made. And rightly so. It’s not just ticking a box. It’s being qualified, selected, travelling, training, assimilating, interviews, photo shoots, pulling on the shirt, standing for the anthem, playing. Many times, year after year then taking it up to senior level, making your debut, playing two more times, winning two man of the match awards. Then thinking, nah, not for me.
 

lis spur

Well-Known Member
Dec 7, 2006
2,571
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These things happen; Northern Ireland have routinely lost players they brought through there youth ranks to the Republic ,which is probably worse as a small federation; there is a financial outlay that isn't even compensated.
 

Yid-ol

Just-outside Edinburgh
Jan 16, 2006
31,097
19,276
So the age he is now? That’s a convenient rule. Are people that confused by nationality when they’re young? By 16-18 you’re making decisions about sex, gambling, alcohol, marriage, driving, your educational path and possibly the start of your career path for the rest of your life. But give footballers another few years to sort out what colour t-shirt they want to play football in. It’s too much pressure on their poor little minds.

How many times did you look back and think, why the fuck did I do that, or what was I thinking pulling her... It's kinda like rice and his international choice! :LOL::cautious:

I do get the argument that they should stick with who they pick. I don't think the rules need changed a lot, but as said before, need to cut out the grandparents nationality also.
 

Dougal

Staff
Jun 4, 2004
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How many times did you look back and think, why the fuck did I do that, or what was I thinking pulling her... It's kinda like rice and his international choice! :LOL::cautious:

I do get the argument that they should stick with who they pick. I don't think the rules need changed a lot, but as said before, need to cut out the grandparents nationality also.
So you think he got wasted at 16 and woke up in an Ireland top? Ok, that’s a situation I can work with...
 

nailsy

SC Supporter
Jul 24, 2005
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So the age he is now? That’s a convenient rule. Are people that confused by nationality when they’re young? By 16-18 you’re making decisions about sex, gambling, alcohol, marriage, driving, your educational path and possibly the start of your career path for the rest of your life. But give footballers another few years to sort out what colour t-shirt they want to play football in. It’s too much pressure on their poor little minds.

Well Rice was obviously confused by nationality at 16-18 otherwise we wouldn't have this thread. Kids in this country have to stay in education until they're 18, in fact you don't even legally become an adult until you're 18 so asking a child to decide their nationality before then feels wrong. You could have the cut-off at 18, but personally I think that 20/21 is the right age to decide. You could make the age lower, but then I think you'll just get players in similar situations refusing International call-ups.

Players in other sports can change their nationality can't they? I'm sure it happens in athletics all the time?
 

Dougal

Staff
Jun 4, 2004
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Well Rice was obviously confused by nationality at 16-18 otherwise we wouldn't have this thread. Kids in this country have to stay in education until they're 18, in fact you don't even legally become an adult until you're 18 so asking a child to decide their nationality before then feels wrong. You could have the cut-off at 18, but personally I think that 20/21 is the right age to decide. You could make the age lower, but then I think you'll just get players in similar situations refusing International call-ups.

Players in other sports can change their nationality can't they? I'm sure it happens in athletics all the time?
I don’t think nationality is all about legality. It’s about identity. And if you’re seriously into football from a young age then you know about the tribalism of football. You’re probably not so clued up on the cynical side of football such as agents. Such as the new agent Rice got last summer who is suddenly re-evaluating and renegotiating the worth of his new ‘asset’ just before he signs his first mega deal.

Yep, cynical. By my age you get it.
 
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