So Who Should Play for the Azzurri? (19 Viewers)
- Thread starter Bjerknes
- Start date
I think that's precisely the sticking point here - it's impossible to define a cut-off point in these situations.
Take me for example: My parents, grandparents, great-great-great-great-grandparents are Korean, but my parents moved to Australia and I was born there. I've lived in Australia all my life and hold an Australian passport. If I happened to be a professional footballer, would I be:
1) Exempt from playing for Korea because I happened to be born in Australia, despite the fact that my entire ancestry bar the past 20 years is Korean, I speak Korean, eat Korean food and love the Korean national team?
2) Exempt from playing for Australia, even though I was born and educated in Australia, learned to play football in Australia, pay taxes to the Australian government, speak English as my first language, and love the Australian national team?
Based on all of the arguments I've read in this thread, it would be ridiculous to disallow me from playing for either country. BUT what if you changed the numbers around a little bit? What if everything stayed the same, but I came to Australia when I was 1 year old? 10 years? 20 years? Surely there's a point on that timeline where I should be disqualified, but it's a very difficult line to draw.
I think the problem is that the argument inevitably becomes subjective when it comes to the crunch, because people seem to hold in high regard factors such as "but if the player feels Italian and loves the country", and "the player made a name for himself in Italy".
Take me for example: My parents, grandparents, great-great-great-great-grandparents are Korean, but my parents moved to Australia and I was born there. I've lived in Australia all my life and hold an Australian passport. If I happened to be a professional footballer, would I be:
1) Exempt from playing for Korea because I happened to be born in Australia, despite the fact that my entire ancestry bar the past 20 years is Korean, I speak Korean, eat Korean food and love the Korean national team?
2) Exempt from playing for Australia, even though I was born and educated in Australia, learned to play football in Australia, pay taxes to the Australian government, speak English as my first language, and love the Australian national team?
Based on all of the arguments I've read in this thread, it would be ridiculous to disallow me from playing for either country. BUT what if you changed the numbers around a little bit? What if everything stayed the same, but I came to Australia when I was 1 year old? 10 years? 20 years? Surely there's a point on that timeline where I should be disqualified, but it's a very difficult line to draw.
I think the problem is that the argument inevitably becomes subjective when it comes to the crunch, because people seem to hold in high regard factors such as "but if the player feels Italian and loves the country", and "the player made a name for himself in Italy".
Exactly, man. This discussion is just too difficult to pinpoint unless we just let whomever gains citizenship the right to play for their new country. That is the easiest, most viable solution, yet some people here don't agree.
Where the hell does this end? Probably where it is now, where people don't care and look like hypocrites.
Where the hell does this end? Probably where it is now, where people don't care and look like hypocrites.
Amauri: I choose the Azzurri!
Monday 9 June, 2008
Brazilian striker Amauri has finally made his decision to wear the Azzurri shirt at international level.
The ex-Palermo forward is applying for an Italian passport, which is he eligible for as his wife has been living in the peninsula for many years, but admits it was a choice borne of frustration.
“I don’t know if now that I play for Juventus it will change something for Carlos Dunga,” he said of the Selecao boss.
“It is a shame, as I think I did well and deserved his consideration. I cannot wait for bureaucracy to run its course.”
Roberto Donadoni has been courting Amauri ever since becoming aware of the passport situation and it seems as if the union will be complete for the start of 2010 World Cup qualifying.
“It is true, I gave my priority to the Selecao before, but I am also proud to represent Italy. Donadoni said wonderful things about me, whereas I never heard from Dunga.
“Brazil remain a dream, while Italy are a fantastic reality and I would have loved to play in Euro 2008. I think if my passport had come through a month ago, the Coach would’ve called me.”
The Brazilian would not be the only 'Oriundi’ in the squad, as Mauro Camoranesi also chose Italian citizenship ahead of his native Argentina.
“I hope to play the World Cup in South Africa. Luca Toni and myself wouldn’t make a bad pairing, eh?”
Amauri’s career is taking off after his move to Juventus and with the Nazionale in his future.
“Am I cheering on Italy in the European Championship? Of course! I hope Alessandro Del Piero or Toni can win the top scorer title, too.”
Channel4.com ... http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/jun9g.html
Monday 9 June, 2008
Brazilian striker Amauri has finally made his decision to wear the Azzurri shirt at international level.
The ex-Palermo forward is applying for an Italian passport, which is he eligible for as his wife has been living in the peninsula for many years, but admits it was a choice borne of frustration.
“I don’t know if now that I play for Juventus it will change something for Carlos Dunga,” he said of the Selecao boss.
“It is a shame, as I think I did well and deserved his consideration. I cannot wait for bureaucracy to run its course.”
Roberto Donadoni has been courting Amauri ever since becoming aware of the passport situation and it seems as if the union will be complete for the start of 2010 World Cup qualifying.
“It is true, I gave my priority to the Selecao before, but I am also proud to represent Italy. Donadoni said wonderful things about me, whereas I never heard from Dunga.
“Brazil remain a dream, while Italy are a fantastic reality and I would have loved to play in Euro 2008. I think if my passport had come through a month ago, the Coach would’ve called me.”
The Brazilian would not be the only 'Oriundi’ in the squad, as Mauro Camoranesi also chose Italian citizenship ahead of his native Argentina.
“I hope to play the World Cup in South Africa. Luca Toni and myself wouldn’t make a bad pairing, eh?”
Amauri’s career is taking off after his move to Juventus and with the Nazionale in his future.
“Am I cheering on Italy in the European Championship? Of course! I hope Alessandro Del Piero or Toni can win the top scorer title, too.”
Channel4.com ... http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/jun9g.html
Can some1 update me on this "Italian blood" ridicule going around? I understand its a joke, and if its being used as a reason for selection of club players, I agree its a sad point.
But in terms of national team selection, genealogy seems a more worthy criterion than language or simply living somewhere long enough.
For example, I have never met a white chinese person with open eyes, and any1 who has "done" international can tell u asian pussy is naturally alot tighter. Living in China for 10 years wont change your complextion or give you a tighter vagina (ie: it wont make u chinese)
I never understood y players who were born in Africa to parents from countries made shit because of French colonial rule, chose to play for France. That doesn't mean they should hate them, but representing a NT carries with it an element of nationalistic pride, and unless France somehow made life better for them, I dont understand their decision other than it being a smart career choice. (the 2005 riots in France. Seems to me they segregate minorities just as hard as the rest of the world. Considering French politicians have tagged their multicultural team as a reason for national pride, its a load of shit).
But in terms of national team selection, genealogy seems a more worthy criterion than language or simply living somewhere long enough.
For example, I have never met a white chinese person with open eyes, and any1 who has "done" international can tell u asian pussy is naturally alot tighter. Living in China for 10 years wont change your complextion or give you a tighter vagina (ie: it wont make u chinese)
I never understood y players who were born in Africa to parents from countries made shit because of French colonial rule, chose to play for France. That doesn't mean they should hate them, but representing a NT carries with it an element of nationalistic pride, and unless France somehow made life better for them, I dont understand their decision other than it being a smart career choice. (the 2005 riots in France. Seems to me they segregate minorities just as hard as the rest of the world. Considering French politicians have tagged their multicultural team as a reason for national pride, its a load of shit).
