Then again should a player be allowed a nationality simply by living there? It means if I was any good I could spend 5 years in San Marino and become an international footballer.

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England would also not have a cricket team..the Olympic team would lose quite a few Atheletes too.

Then again should a player be allowed a nationality simply by living there? It means if I was any good I could spend 5 years in San Marino and become an international footballer.
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Ignorance is bliss. You do realise that it isn't just sport that have this. Once you live in a country for a number of years, you can become a UK/US/Azerbajini citizen

Chambers

This part I do not agree with is when players are invited to play locally, just to pass these number of years...and then represent the national side

How about players that have played for, lets say, the Under 19's etc.. for another country??

The reaction from the Brazilian FA has been out of order. It seems fair enough that Costa would want to consider both countries that are both close to his heart for different reasons.

In the end he has elected to play for Spain, he can't play for both after all so somebody had to go home dissapointed.

They need to accept it and move on- throwing their toys out the pram claiming he deserves to lose his citizenship? Very poor and you'd expect better from them.

I'm not saying that's my view I was giving to sides the argument like a reasonable debate should...

Is this the same as Deco

Sport has to adhere to the rules already in place about citizenship, otherwise what sort of message is that sending out?

I think they should make friendlies count though as Costa has already played in a friendly for Brazil so that should be enough IMO so adults can't change.

or was Deco OK, as they dident "need" him at the time?

Any English relatives ?

And to think this bloke could have been at Anfield banging them in as he has been doing for Atleti.

I think this nationality business had something to do with his decision to stay with Atleti.

I don't think we had a chance at signing him.

Fair enough if someone has lived in a country for a while, but after 5 years is a bit stupid.

For me he's perfectly within his rights to play for Spain. It's his choice as he clearly has Spanish citizenship. From an outsider's perspective it just seems the Brazillian FA are písséd because they've missed out on an in-form player who they realise can solve their long term striker problem. Neymar aside they have Jo() and Fred who aren't exactly the best.

I hate all this nationality choosing.

Players should be asked "which country would you like to see as the most successful in the world of sport?" That should sort out their allegiances.

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I'm not comfortable with it.

If international teams start resembling clubs, then there'll be no justification for international football any more.

I don't mind people like Sterling, who came over as a kid, and was schooled here, so clearly wasn't using it as a flag of convenience.

But it's difficult not to suspect that Costa wouldn't be interested in Spanish citizenship if it wasn't providing him with the opportunity to play in a World Cup, and that’s no different from a club transfer, with ‘5 years residency’ used as a thin disguise.

Amir Khan Represents England
His brother, born in the same place, raised in the same country..represents Pakistan.

But it's difficult not to suspect that Costa wouldn't be interested in Spanish citizenship if it wasn't providing him with the opportunity to play in a World Cup, and that’s no different from a club transfer, with ‘5 years residency’ used as a thin disguise.

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I'm not sure that's really the case here, seeing as he is top scoring in La Liga he would definitely get his chance to stake his claim for Brazil this year, just as much chance as getting a place in the Spain squad anyway. It's not like he is Venezuelan. He is turning down the chance to play in a 'home' cup for the home team, that's a big thing.

I am sure he feels a genuine affinity for the country now, but that doesn't mean it's right that he can play for them.

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Once you live in a country for a number of years, you can become a UK/US/Azerbajini citizen

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This bit is actually bollox with regards to UK and US Citizenship.