Brighton hat-trick hero Evan Ferguson could still switch international allegiance to ENGLAND like Rice and Grealish
EVAN FERGUSON could still switch his allegiances from Ireland to England, according to reports.
The Telegraph report that Ferguson remains eligible to play for England despite making six international appearances for the Republic of Ireland.
Ferguson, 18, qualifies for the England national team due to his mother being English.
But the Brighton sensation has no intention of switching allegiances having grown up in Bettystown, Meath.
He has represented the Irish national team from Under-15s level all the way through to the senior side and is in Stephen Kenny‘s squad for Ireland’s upcoming qualifiers against France and the Netherlands.
Ferguson is expected to lead the line for Ireland in both games and needs just one more appearance in a green shirt to close off the possibility of playing for England.
Fans might be perplexed as to how Ferguson could STILL change his allegiance to the England national team despite appearing six times in an Ireland shirt.
That’s because Fifa rules on changing nationality were relaxed in 2020.
Players are now eligible to switch nationalities until they have played four competitive games for their country.
As only three of Ferguson’s six Ireland appearances have come in qualifiers, he could, in theory, switch to the England national team right now.
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The rule on playing four times for a country only apply if the player made those appearances before they turned 21 – it was brought in to protect players that are called up to a national team at a young age in order for countries to lock in access to the player.
As Ferguson is just 18, he is eligible to switch.
Declan Rice made use of the rule when he changed national teams from Ireland to England in 2019 after making three senior appearances for Ireland.
Jack Grealish also changed allegiances to play for England after representing Ireland at youth level.
Ferguson has been asked about the prospect of switching allegiances to England before in an interview with Sky Sports and said: “That’s not gonna happen, no.
“My mam is English, so that’s where the tie comes in. But I’ve seen a few saying oh, will he? Will he? But I can tell you now it’s a no.”
Presenter Melissa Reddy then said: “I don’t think your Dad would let you.”
To which Ferguson said “I wouldn’t be allowed back.”
The Telegraph report centred around the fact that Ferguson snubbed interest this summer to sign a new deal at Brighton.
He produced a stunning performance this weekend as he hit a hat-trick in Brighton’s 3-1 win over Newcastle.