Source: Daily_Mail
Mikel Arteta will never be called up by England
Mikel Arteta will never play for England.[LNB]Fabio Capello had spoken to Everton's Spanish midfielder about the prospect ofrepresenting the national team because residency laws in this country enable him to apply for a British passport. [LNB]But the FA have been made aware of a FIFA statute that rules out any possibility of him joining Capello's squad. [LNB]Arteta represented Spain at Under 16 and Under 17 level in 1999 and only if he had held dual nationality then would he be eligible to play for England now. [LNB]An FA spokesman last night said: 'Under our understanding of FIFA rules the player is ineligible to play for England.' [LNB] No chance: Mikel Arteta will not be appearing for England[LNB]The little known FIFA Article 18.1.a states 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 wished to play for to be permitted to make the switch.[LNB]Arteta played for Spain in UEFA's Under 16 European Championships and in the FIFAWorld Championships at Under 17 level. [LNB]The only way he could satisfy criteria introduced last year is if he held a UK passport at the time. [LNB]Thwarted: Fabio Capello approached Arteta about representing England[LNB]The 28-year-old was born in San Sebastian and raised in Spain and told Capello that he first needed to apply for a British passport before he could be considered for England. [LNB]Last night a FIFA source said: 'The situation is hypothetical but judging by what weknow about Mikel Arteta, our statutes would not allow him to play for England. It seems unlikely he had a British passport in 1999.' [LNB]Capello had more immediate concerns last night after Peter Crouch withdrew from England's squad because of a back injury. [LNB]He was the hat-trick hero for Tottenham in their Champions League qualifying tie against Young Boys, but he managed just 45 minutes of Saturday's defeat by Wigan, and has returned to White Hart Lane for treatment. [LNB]He will not be replaced because there are four other strikers in the 24-man squad for the Euro 2012 qualifiers against Bulgaria tomorrow night and Switzerland on Tuesday.[LNB]It leaves Capello hoping Wayne Rooney's penalty for Manchester United against West Ham marks a return to goalscoring form, while he must choose from Jermain Defoe, Carlton Cole and Darren Bent for his other options. [LNB]Goalkeepers Scott Carson and Ben Foster, plus Phil Jagielka also missed trainingyesterday.[LNB] England boss Capello has talks with Everton's Spanish midfielder ArtetaQuestion time for Fabio Capello! England manager needs to find answers fastSteven Gerrard: I would 'love' to be Mikel Arteta's team-mate... for EnglandEVERTON FC
