The amendment of the eligibility rule by world football governing body FIFA has made it possible for most players to switch nationality despite representing another country at senior level, OwnGoalNigeria.comreports .
In late 2020, FIFA announced at its 70th annual congress that the eligibility rules had been updated, in what administrators have described as the “first wholesale modernisation” of the rules, with added codification and clarification.
In particular, FIFA has added three new exceptions whereby a player may change the national team they play for.
First, it is now possible for a player to change national team even if they have played competitively at senior level, provided:
1. the player held the nationality of their new association at the time of their first official appearance for their first national team.
the player played in no more than three competitive senior games before the age of 21.
2. the player has not played in the final stage of an official tournament such as the World Cup, European Championship, Copa America etc.
at least three years have passed since the player’s last senior appearance for their previous national team.
3. the player has not played in the final stage of an official tournament such as the World Cup, European Championship, Copa America etc.
at least three years have passed since the player’s last senior appearance for their previous national team.
Second, a player can now change to a new national team even if they did not hold that nationality at the time of their first appearance for their old national team, as long as they last played for the old national team before the age of 21.
It should be noted that there is an exception underpinned by the principle of legal certainty, whereby the age limit of 21 does not apply to players who played their last match for their old national team prior to September 18, 2020, when the new rules were introduced.
Finally, a competitive cap will not keep a player tied to a national team in the event that they suddenly become stateless – that is, lose their nationality – against their will.
It is on the basis of the above that many thought that Karim Adeyemi who is of Nigerian descent and has displayed his affection to the West African country can apply for a switch, despite representing Germany four times at senior level.
Snubbed by Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann ahead of the Euros, many are of the opinion that he should use the new rule to consider a switch to Nigeria, it is now confirmed that he ran foul of all the provisions in the amendment meaning he can’t play for Nigeria.
” Adeyemi can’t play for Nigeria. It’s an idea that was mooted two months ago but his lawyers confirmed that he can’t make the switch. So it’s Germany or no international football for him. He is however still very committed to Nigeria by heart”, a close source to the player told OwnGoalNigeria.com.
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman
