One of the features of this current World Cup competition-now in its semi finals stage-has been the performance of the minor footballing powers. I am not referring to England, but to countries like the USA, Algeria and Paraguay.
Although the United States is the pre-eminent power on the planet it is, in soccer terms, a minnow.
I had thought that since USA 94 that grassroots investment and the continuing influx into the USA from Central America would give “team USA” a Hispanic foundation of flair and inventiveness.
However the team that topped England’s group tended to be all American boys welded together by patriotism.
It was engaging to watch.
I noticed with a wry smile that of the team that took to the field against England seven of them were not born in Algeria.
Quite a few of them qualified on the FIFA grandparent rule.
It could not be argued that they lacked commitment to their ancestral homeland. Truly they tackled and fought for Algeria.
These “artificial Algerians” were French born. Some of them play in France the land of their birth. France and Algeria have a difficult history. Colonialism almost always creates a problematic narrative. The freedom struggle by the Algerian people in the 1950s brought the French armed forces to the brink of mutiny. The French state itself was in peril. Despite all of this there remains a substantial Algerian community in France.
French born lads consider themselves, in some ways, to be Algerian.
Some French footballers have declared for Algeria.
They feel Algerian. It is an emotional connection.
I wonder if they attract the opprobrium of French football crowds?
I suspect that the relaxed, culturally confident French do not concern themselves with such nonsense. In the land of rational discourse a player such as Madjid Bougherra is allowed to express his love for the land of one of his grandparents.
Bougherra regularly wears a wristband in the colours of his nation as he takes to the field of play for his club.
He is routinely referred to by the Scottish media as “Algerian”.
He has ONE Algerian born grandparent. This qualifies him, under FIFA guidelines, to declare for Algeria.
Compare and contrast the treatment of Aidan McGeady by the Scottish media. Has Aidan ever been given his nationality in Scottish sports reportage?
Aidan McGeady is as Irish as Madjid Bougherra is Algerian.
Both should be respected for their decisions.
Last night I watched a totally outclassed Paraguay team battle against the guile and inventiveness of the current European champions.
Finally, they were breached, but only after they had given Spain a major examination of their determination and mental fortitude.
These players were not plastic Paraguayans. They rallied to their flag. They gave and gave.
Like Algeria several of the Paraguayan team were not born in the country they were playing for. Several of the Paraguayans were born in Argentina.
There is a strong tradition of Paraguayans being economic migrants in Argentina.
It is the big affluent neighbour next door. If a lad shows well as a soccer player in Paraguay then Argentina is the nearest major league. Similar to the Bundesliga for Austrians and La Liga for Portuguese.
Paraguay and Argentina have history. In the 19th century in the “War of the Triple Alliance” 90% yes NINTEY PER CENT of the male population of Paraguay was killed by the combined armies of Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina.
The country was largely re-populated by Italian immigration. The Paraguayan national team certainly seems to have a penchant for cattenachio.
I am not aware of any of these; lets call them  ”heritage players” being abused in the country of their birth.
Celtic’s new player Cha Du Ri is German by birth. Born to parents from South Korea he declared for his father’s country.
I understand his choice. Had I been a footballer I would have made the same choice and I would have declared for Ireland.
It would not have been a second choice, or a fall back position.
Ireland would be my only choice. Had the Ireland manger not wanted me then I would not have turned out for Scotland.
I have one heart and it is Irish.
True Scottish patriots will get that.
I think of one friend in particular who first saw the light of day in Cape Breton. In his heart he is Scottish. That’s good enough for me.
Probably by the time the new football season starts in Scotland Aidan McGeady will have left Celtic and the land of his birth.
I wish him well. He is a talented young man and his choice of international soccer allegiance was based on a rich Irish heritage.
Like the writer he had no choice in his birthplace, but he could make a choice about his nationality, just like Madjid Bougherra.
Aidan will place somewhere outside Scotland in whatever country he is in the fact that he is Republic of Ireland international will not be an issues.
Only in the land of his birth is an Irish heritage a social crime.
That is why his life is about to become more tolerable as he moves to a city that doesn’t harbour so many that hate the Irish and Irishness.
Adh mor ort Aidan.
Simmy
Aiden McGeady wasn’t criticised for picking Ireland, it was for not picking Scotland. I’m pretty sure if he had chosen England over Scotland had he been eligible there would have been a greater fuss.
Maybe the reason nobody had gripe with Bougherra is because the French and Algerian national teams had no impact on Scotland? Likewise if McGeady wasn’t seen as an asset what anyone have cared? It was to do with his talent and not choosing Scotland.
A better example Phil, if you want to look at hypocrisy is that of Kris Commons.
September 22, 2011 at 8:53 am
Phil Mac Giolla Bhain
I disagree.
The issue people in had with Aidan was his country of choice.
I think Hugh Keevins was spot on when he said that.
Had McGeady’s heritage lay in the Valleys and not Donegal then the sight of him wearing the red of Wales would not have pressed the same buttons.
September 22, 2011 at 2:26 pm
Simmy
Likewise, I disagree however I don’t think it’s something that can be proved. There will be people that have an issue with Ireland and others because he isn’t playing for Scotland. I didn’t intend my initial post to state a fact, I can only base it on the people I know and they couldn’t care if he was wearing green red or white, they’d just prefer if he picked dark blue.
Personally I always thought he was overrated anyway
September 22, 2011 at 3:18 pm
Damo Lennon
The, “grandparent rule,” is not a FIFA one. It is an agreement between the FA’s of Scotland, England, N. Ireland and Wales, which is necessary because those nations have a shared political sovereignty.
To qualify for any national team, the only requirement is that you hold a valid, current passport for that country.
To play for Scotland, England or N. Ireland, you must hold a British passport, there being no such things as Scottish, English, N. Irish or Welsh passports.
As far as FIFA are concerned, holders of a British passport can play for any of those four countries. To regularise the situation, the four, “Home,” FA’s have an agreement that they will not pick players from any of the other countries, unless they have at least grandparent from the country picking them.
FIFA don’t care whether you have any familial connection with the country you turn out for at all – as long as you hold the relevant passport. Legalistically (is that a word) that’s why Aiden McGeady can play for the Republic.
So he IS Irish, end of story.
I’ve a feeling Aiden McGeady will go on to bigger and better things, especially if he can find a club willing to play him in the middle of the pitch.
July 6, 2010 at 10:47 am