[Scotty]

Since I often read posts about Giggs choosing Wales over England, I wanted to provide this story where Giggsy himself clears up the confusion.

I'd feel stupid playing for England: Giggs

[Gar7]

He 's Welsh through and through! When he's done in Manchester he can come home and settle in the Valleys!

[Samarkand]

Originally posted by Gar7
He 's Welsh through and through! When he's done in Manchester he can come home and buy the Valleys!

Fixed your post.

[england4eva]

Originally posted by Scotty
Since I often read posts about Giggs choosing Wales over England, I wanted to provide this story where Giggsy himself clears up the confusion.

I'd feel stupid playing for England: Giggs

it's funny how i seem to be the only person in england that understands this.

well, giggs has been my no.1 idol for over 10 years, so i've learnt quite a bit about the man.

football will never be the same again for me when he retires

[crummy]

It's really quite straightforward.

Giggs played for England schoolboys - the selection criteria for schoolboy internationals is that to represent a country the kid must go to school in that country - Giggs, although born in Wales, went to school in England.

So as an example - if a 15 year old came over to England from the US and was good enough he could play for England schoolboys.

He couldn't however, play for England at representative level unless he has at least 1 grandparent who was born in England.

That is why somebody like Owen Hargreaves can play full internationals for England - but couldn't have played for England schoolboys.

Confused ???

[soccernutter]

Ah, the plot thickens.

[sinner78]

Giggs could play for england under residency rules.
He has lived here for most of his life so he could've played for us.
Just like various other players played for countries under residency rules...

Asamoah and various others for germany..
Branko strupar for belguim..
John barnes for england.
etc, etc...

[england4eva]

Originally posted by sinner_ronald_monk
Giggs could play for england under residency rules.
He has lived here for most of his life so he could've played for us.
Just like various other players played for countries under residency rules...

Asamoah and various others for germany..
Branko strupar for belguim..
John barnes for england.
etc, etc...

i don't think England works like that now. he wouldn't change anyway IMHO!

[crummy]

The residency rule does apply in England - it is applicable worldwide - all countries in FIFA competition have to use the same selection criteria.

I forgot about it to be honest.

Barnes was eligible to play for England as he was the holder of a British passport.

He could have played for any of the home nations.

[SJFC4ever]

I could be wrong, but I am fairly sure that Giggs could NOT qualify to play for England under residency either. This is because there is only one passport for all British citizens. (unlike players like Olisadebe or Asamoah)

There is some sort of "gentleman's agreement" between all the home nations. If the FIFA rules strictly applied, any "British" player could play for any of the home nations. This would mean (normally) that Scotland, Wales and N.Ireland could pick any of the English players who cannot get a game for England, even if they have no link with that 2nd country. The agreement negates this, and places an emphasis on birthplace(s).

The point of the agreement is that if you have a direct blood link to one of the home nations, you can't play for another home nation - unless you also have a direct link with that second country. Giggs has that direct blood link to one of the home nations (Wales, through himself) but doesn't have that link with England.