[Archived] Junior Hoilett for England rumour

[Blue Lou]

In recent years there has been several reports in the national press about Junior Hoilett and the possibility of playing for England.

http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/8206810.Blackburn_Rovers_starlet_set_to_opt_for_Canada/

The 20-year-old winger is eligible for Jamaica and Canada,or could even choose to wait to qualify for England, but the signs are he is ready to give his birth country a chance.

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Blackburn-midfielder-Junior-Hoilett-drops-England-call-up-hint-article695537.html

“I will always be Canadian, but all the options are open - Canada, Jamaica, possibly the USA and maybe one day England.

“If England came along I would consider it, but right now I am just focused on Rovers.

Here's the thing, I don't think he will ever become eligible for England and that the journalists and Hoilett himself don't know the requirements to be eligible to play for England.

The requirements to play for a national team of the Home nations are:

a.) He was born on the territory of the relevant association;

B.) His biological mother or biological father was born on the territory of the relevant association;

c.) His grandmother or grandfather was born on the territory of the relevant association.

d) He has engaged in a minimum of five years education under the age of 18 within the territory of the relevant association."

As far as I know, Hoilett does not meet any of the above criteria.

There is a clause submitted to FIFA from the home nations that replaces the default d) criteria which is:

(d) He has lived continuously an the territory of the relevant Association for at least two years.

Hoilett has been on the books of Blackburn since he was 13, aged 17 he was sent to Germany on loan to play in the second tier of the German Bundesliga system as a full-time professional football player. Therefore he doesn't meet the five years education criteria.

A similar thing happened in Scotland a few years ago; a Spanish player played in Scotland long enough to warrant citizenship, but he was not eligible to play for Scotland.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/7702704.stm

Incidentally, the Jamaican newspaper 'Gleaner' reported that the Jamaican FA had spoken to his father/agent David Snr. about David jnr. representing Jamaica at international level.

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20120129/sports/sports1.html

[RTM08]

I thought one of his grandparents was English. I'm sure I read it somewhere.

[Blue Lou]

If that was the case, he wouldn't have needed a work permit in 2009.

[mode_m]

Truthfully would he ever start for England if he was to decide that is where he wanted to play? Where as if he played for Canada he would most certainly be one of the best on the team and always start.

[joey_big_nose]

Truthfully would he ever start for England if he was to decide that is where he wanted to play? Where as if he played for Canada he would most certainly be one of the best on the team and always start.

On form I think he is better than any English winger apart from Johnson and Young. Honestly.

And while those two have better footballing heads and can pass and cross much better than Hoilett neither can touch him for close control. Actually it would not be much of an exaggeration to say that he is the best dribbler at pace I have ever seen in the flesh. Anyone agree with that? Actually Christiano Ronaldo might be better to be fair. And Giggs was pretty extraordinary in full flight. But he is right up there. His turning speed is utterly unbelievable and he always retains the ball.

[bluebruce]

Ummm. Doesn't what you say about living here for two years continuously render your whole point moot?

Also, no offence but how is this a transfer rumour?

[T4E]

Clause (d) means I qualify to play for England.

Interesting.

[Blue Lou]

Ummm. Doesn't what you say about living here for two years continuously render your whole point moot?

No, because the "(d) He has lived continuously an the territory of the relevant Association for at least two years." rule does not apply to the Home nations.

Also, no offence but how is this a transfer rumour?

I wasn't too sure where to put it.

[HemelRover]

Ummm. Doesn't what you say about living here for two years continuously render your whole point moot?

Also, no offence but how is this a transfer rumour?

Good point. Relocated.

[Majiball]

Hoilett has been on the books of Blackburn since he was 13, aged 17 he was sent to Germany on loan to play in the second tier of the German Bundesliga system as a full-time professional football player. Therefore he doesn't meet the five years education criteria.

A similar thing happened in Scotland a few years ago; a Spanish player played in Scotland long enough to warrant citizenship, but he was not eligible to play for Scotland.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/7702704.stm

What are the odds that said gentleman's agreement will go out the window when it's the english's turn to lose out?

[SAS]

Hasn't he been here since 13 or something? Didn't he go to a local high school?

That's what I thought anyway.

[Blue Lou]

It didn't for Almunia, Arteta, Cudicini or di Canio.

It's not a "gentleman's agreement" as such because it has to be ratified by FIFA.

Hasn't he been here since 13 or something? Didn't he go to a local high school?

That's what I thought anyway.

If he was on a student visa and would need to be here 10 years for citizenship. Even if he stays in the country until he's 23 and receives citizenship he won't be eligible to play for England.

If the citizenship counter started when he returned from St. Pauli, he still has not enough years eduction in the country to be eligible to play for the national team. He was educated at the most for four of the five years needed to represent England, because he was playing professional football in Germany when he was 17.

If he started school in Blackburn in year 8/9, he'd have needed to attend sixth form to meet the criteria (i.e. when he was 18), because he was playing in Germany (at 17), I don't think this is the case.

[OJRovers]

If he was able to play for England I think he could get in the squad if he gets a bit more consistant.

The number of caps SWP and Lennon have between them just shows the lack of competition for speedy wingers. Walcott seems to be losing his way now too.

[Steve Moss]

Here's the thing, I don't think he will ever become eligible for England and that the journalists and Hoilett himself don't know the requirements to be eligible to play for England.

. . .

As far as I know, Hoilett does not meet any of the above criteria.

If he started in England at 13, and left for Germany at 17, is it not possible that would still encompass five years (13, 14, 15, 16, and 17)? If he started a very young 13 and left a very old 17, or returned to Blackburn periodically after 17 for significant training and assessment, wouldn't that be substantial compliance? Or is it everyday of the five years must be spent in England?

[Rover Down Under]

Junior cannot currently consider the possibility of playing for England.

He is ineligible owing to the fact that he plays for Blackburn Rovers.

[Veevs]

Junior cannot currently consider the possibility of playing for England.

He is ineligible owing to the fact that he plays for Blackburn Rovers.

For a few more months anyway..