Declan Rice decision 'makes mockery' of international football: Ex-Ireland stars blast Fifa rules

Switching sides: Declan Rice
AP
Giuseppe Muro14 February 2019

Former Republic of Ireland players Andy Townsend and Kevin Kilbane have slammed the Fifa rules which allowed Declan Rice to switch his international allegiance to England.

The West Ham midfielder called both England manager Gareth Southgate and his Republic of Ireland counterpart Mick McCarthy yesterday to explain his decision.

Rice was born in London but is eligible for the Republic because his grandparents are from Cork.

The 20-year-old made three senior appearances for Ireland in friendlies but because he did not play a competitive match for them he has applied for a “change of association” under Article 18 of Fifa’s statutes. Fifa may discuss these rules at their next congress, in Paris in June.

Former Ireland international Kilbane, who was born in Preston, said Rice’s decision “makes a mockery” of international football, while Maidstone-born Townsend claimed “the rules are wrong”.

Kilbane said: “I think Fifa have to seriously look at this rule that you can play for one nation and then declare for another. I do not believe any player should be able to do that and this makes a mockery of it.”

Townsend said: “I think the rules are wrong and they do not do anyone any favours.

“I do understand that, for many reasons, playing for England would be more significant than playing for Ireland. But I think once you have made the decision to play for a team, that should be it and you should get on with it.”

Rice is in impressive form for West Ham and is in line for an immediate England call-up for next month’s 2020 European Championship qualifiers against the Czech Republic and Montenegro.

Southgate and his assistant, Steve Holland, have been watching Rice closely this season and will have another opportunity to see him in action when West Ham play Fulham at the London Stadium tomorrow week.

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