Mikel Arteta 'ineligible' for England switch

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. 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 last night.

While 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 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 seems unlikely 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.

The news will prevent an awful lot of controversy, not least because Scotland manager Craig Levein recently pointed out a gentleman's agreement between the four Home Nations where they have all vowed not to exploit eligibility loopholes.