He's obviously starting to do quite well. Can some one please clear up this "he's now Jap so can no longer be a kiwi" rumour thats floating around. Japan has had plenty of Japanese kiwi rugby players. Must be a better pick based on form then Bright.
He just has jap citizenship meaning he just doesnt count as a foreigner in J league. Can still play for NZ
Would be interesting to clear up his eligibility.
If Fitzgerald is starting in the J-League and making someones team of the week then he must be doing really well. J league is a very good league and is full of very good attacking players so if you do OK as a defender there then you must be OK. Which begs the question "why is he not in the AW's"? What happens if Dura does not get clearance?. We have Reid and Smith playing at a decent level then down to Vicilich who is 36 and playing ASB prem in NZ and a 32 yo Siggy who is showing his age IMO. Also Fitz has played DM in Japan.....and we are not exactly awash with half decent DM's at the moment
Maybe there is some background to the rumour that Fitz and Ricki have fallen out somehow
He's obviously starting to do quite well. Can some one please clear up this "he's now Jap so can no longer be a kiwi" rumour thats floating around. Japan has had plenty of Japanese kiwi rugby players. Must be a better pick based on form then Bright.
He just has jap citizenship meaning he just doesnt count as a foreigner in J league. Can still play for NZ
He's obviously starting to do quite well. Can some one please clear up this "he's now Jap so can no longer be a kiwi" rumour thats floating around. Japan has had plenty of Japanese kiwi rugby players. Must be a better pick based on form then Bright.
He just has jap citizenship meaning he just doesnt count as a foreigner in J league. Can still play for NZ
Oh dear. It doesnt change fact hes born in NZ, rep NZ and can only play for us in Fifas eyes. Stop worrying ppl
He's obviously starting to do quite well. Can some one please clear up this "he's now Jap so can no longer be a kiwi" rumour thats floating around. Japan has had plenty of Japanese kiwi rugby players. Must be a better pick based on form then Bright.
He just has jap citizenship meaning he just doesnt count as a foreigner in J league. Can still play for NZ
Oh dear. It doesnt change fact hes born in NZ, rep NZ and can only play for us in Fifas eyes. Stop worrying ppl
The question is not is he allowed to play for us, it is does he want to play for us? (and also does ricki want to pick him). If playing for NZ damages his j-league contract I can see his dilemma.
Giving up NZ citizenship means nothing, its just like here in NZ when applying for super, you can not claim it from two nations. you must forgo one for the other.
He's still eligible to play - just not wanted ( i'm guessing ).
Does any know or have a way of finding out if he's at least been in contact with Ricki over the last year.
I think just leave Fitzgerald out of this WC campaign.
We've seen him before, don't get me wrong, it's great that he's starting for his J1 team, they obviously thought he was worth giving a chance to and he's obviously taken it, as he's started 3 games.
I think we need to look at what players we currently have, who we haven't tried and who might have the goods. Bring them in and try them out asap as the WC is next year.
I agree to, but maybe after the qualifier will be a good chance to bring him in and have a look, or against the nix? Season finishes soon
Upon further research it doesn't actually end soon
Looked at the J-League site, last day of their season is Dec 7 so I say again I doubt Fitzgerald will be in this WC campaign.
Wikipedia says:
Naturalization in Japan requires the applicant to renounce their current citizenship(s) after the naturalization takes place. The Japanese government does not have strict rules for the naturalization process, even though the documents that need to be collected for application from applicant's home country might take quite some time. Basic naturalization requirements differ from person to person regardless what country the applicant is from and depending on applicant's current status in Japan. Unlike most other countries, the applicant does not have to be a permanent resident to be eligible to apply for Japanese naturalization.[3]
The criteria for naturalization are provided in Article 5 of the Nationality Act:[4]
Note number 5 and the last paragraph: I would say that Fitzgerald will not be eligible as he would have renounced his NZ citizenship.
Wikipedia says:
Naturalization in Japan requires the applicant to renounce their current citizenship(s) after the naturalization takes place. The Japanese government does not have strict rules for the naturalization process, even though the documents that need to be collected for application from applicant's home country might take quite some time. Basic naturalization requirements differ from person to person regardless what country the applicant is from and depending on applicant's current status in Japan. Unlike most other countries, the applicant does not have to be a permanent resident to be eligible to apply for Japanese naturalization.[3]
The criteria for naturalization are provided in Article 5 of the Nationality Act:[4]
Note number 5 and the last paragraph: I would say that Fitzgerald will not be eligible as he would have renounced his NZ citizenship.
This is a set of Japanese nationality rules. I'm almost certain this has no bearing on FIFA. He was born here and has not played for another country and is therefore eligible. Its the other way around where it might become a problem. They are only allowed 4 foreign players in j-league teams. If his fifa nationality is NZ, despite official Japanese nationality, he may well count as a foreign player and not be considered good enough for a visa spot.
Wikipedia says:
Naturalization in Japan requires the applicant to renounce their current citizenship(s) after the naturalization takes place. The Japanese government does not have strict rules for the naturalization process, even though the documents that need to be collected for application from applicant's home country might take quite some time. Basic naturalization requirements differ from person to person regardless what country the applicant is from and depending on applicant's current status in Japan. Unlike most other countries, the applicant does not have to be a permanent resident to be eligible to apply for Japanese naturalization.[3]
The criteria for naturalization are provided in Article 5 of the Nationality Act:[4]
Note number 5 and the last paragraph: I would say that Fitzgerald will not be eligible as he would have renounced his NZ citizenship.
Hmmm I don't get it, but you must know.
I just thought of another young boy who is a defender whom we haven't considered - Liam Graham playing in SerieB. Don't think there's any citizenship hang ups with him lol.
Hmmm I don't get it, but you must know.
I just thought of another young boy who is a defender whom we haven't considered - Liam Graham playing in SerieB. Don't think there's any citizenship hang ups with him lol.
Trust me he is eligible. He can have Jap citizenship and a Japanese passport and still travel with the NZ team and play for NZ. End of
I do recall an article in the paper years back when Fitzgerald made himself available for the AWs.
His club were not happy and I think they didn't support his application for citizenship that year. To top it off, he didn't do well for us, is then left out in the wilderness with the AWs, so has to go back and try to make good with his club. (Interesting they never cut him and kept loaning him out, and then he gets citizenship and they take him back and play him straight away - maybe they were teaching him a lesson.)
Anyway point being, if that is the case would he would risk his career again - as someone said that is the million dollar question.
Trust me he is eligible. He can have Jap citizenship and a Japanese passport and still travel with the NZ team and play for NZ. End of
I completely agree with TV.
Michael McGlinchy is about 99% Scottish and about 1% Kiwi and probably has the Scottish passport as well as nationality. Does not change the fact that he can play for NZ.
The requirement of the Japanese government in regards to citizenship do not repeal his eligibility for NZ because of FIFAs regulations on what they constitute as being elligibile to represent a nation.
Its a beat up and people are buying it. There is a valid point that playing for NZ may damage his professional contract but that's a separate to being eligible for NZ.
I completely agree with TV.
Michael McGlinchy is about 99% Scottish and about 1% Kiwi and probably has the Scottish passport as well as nationality. Does not change the fact that he can play for NZ.
The requirement of the Japanese government in regards to citizenship do not repeal his eligibility for NZ because of FIFAs regulations on what they constitute as being elligibile to represent a nation.
Its a beat up and people are buying it. There is a valid point that playing for NZ may damage his professional contract but that's a separate to being eligible for NZ.
The two points are not related
The first one: Becoming a citizen of Japan does not change his ability to be able to play for NZ
The second one: Playing for the national team may jeopardise his professional contract. I can't speak for that as I don't know the ins and outs and just going on what is mentioned here but it should not with international windows
Both points are isolated from each other.
They are related in the fact they will both impact on whether he will play for NZ. The majority people here all agree on the first point (international eligibility) anyway, the main argument is about the second point (j-league eligibility). Your post immediately followed one from TV quoting RRers arguing the second point. Saying you agree with him completely sounded weird.
Trust me he is eligible. He can have Jap citizenship and a Japanese passport and still travel with the NZ team and play for NZ. End of
It won't affect his status no. And why would it if he's off playing for NZ in an international window or at a World Cup etc etc. In Fifa's eyes he's a NZ international. Japan and J League can't then turn around and say he can't play or be classed as a Japanese citizen anymore if he's been playing for NZ, which he's already represented. It's hysteria for the sake of it it IMO
IIRC, reminds me of Paul Ifill who didn't play for Barbados a couple of years ago because Barbados officials lost his Barbados passport or something like that. To compare, even though you may be eligible for a country do you need a current passport/citizenship of that country (even if represented them previously) to play?
"And when he did locate them it was a day before I was supposed to fly out and they realised that the passports had run out, last year, for all three of us so it was not going to happen."
The plan was to sneak through qualifying and renew the passports so the star trio could play in the next stage. But it wasn't to be. "I'm not pleased at all because I think it's a big mistake from the football association."
Ifill also holds a British passport, so he could have flown to the Caribbean, but rules declare that Barbados passports must be shown before games to stop imposters rocking up and playing.
Ok. I may well not have been up with the play and missed it sorry. I thought the main debate still was his eligibility for NZ which is not even in question.
His contract situation.... well I guess that's up to him to sort out. Nothing to do with NZF or his ability to play for the AWs. If he wants to chose country or club, I could care less.
Is the JFA North Korea? No. If he goes and play for NZ during a window his club are harding going to tear up his contract. Jesus.
Eligible to play for NZ? Yes
Will playing for NZ affect his Alibrex Niigata contract? No
People are buying into hysteria (like I said) because he wasn't picked for the team. A month or so ago when All Whites were picked he wasn't playing J1 and prior to that injured for basically the first half of the season so naturally he's off the radar, not to mention we're playing a 3-4-3 and he is behind Reid, Smith, Sigmund & Durante.
FIFA Statutes:
Art. 5
1. Any person holding a permanent nationality that is not dependent on
residence in a certain Country is eligible to play for the representative teams of
the Association of that Country.
Since he has to relinquish NZ citizenship my understanding of the rule is that he can't play for NZ, as he no longer has NZ nationality?
Smashes head into wall gif
Wibblebutt he got Japanese citizenship so he would no longer count as a foreigner for his team that's it. He can still play for NZ as he has done before.
Him renouncing NZ citizenship in order to obtain Japanese citizenship does NOT change things in Fifa's eyes, it's just a requirement for obtaining said Japanese citizenship.
Features in the play.
Looked a good game.
FIFA Statutes:
Art. 5
1. Any person holding a permanent nationality that is not dependent on
residence in a certain Country is eligible to play for the representative teams of
the Association of that Country.
Since he has to relinquish NZ citizenship my understanding of the rule is that he can't play for NZ, as he no longer has NZ nationality?
have not seen him since he played for the all whites. Is he pretty good now? like a decent replacement for siggy/nelsen?
Wibblebutt he got Japanese citizenship so he would no longer count as a foreigner for his team that's it. He can still play for NZ as he has done before.
Him renouncing NZ citizenship in order to obtain Japanese citizenship does NOT change things in Fifa's eyes, it's just a requirement for obtaining said Japanese citizenship.
Then explain how Paul Ifill could not play for Barbados in the example given on previous page.
Wibblebutt he got Japanese citizenship so he would no longer count as a foreigner for his team that's it. He can still play for NZ as he has done before.
Him renouncing NZ citizenship in order to obtain Japanese citizenship does NOT change things in Fifa's eyes, it's just a requirement for obtaining said Japanese citizenship.
Then explain how Paul Ifill could not play for Barbados in the example given on previous page.
Trust me he is eligible. He can have Jap citizenship and a Japanese passport and still travel with the NZ team and play for NZ. End of
It won't affect his status no. And why would it if he's off playing for NZ in an international window or at a World Cup etc etc. In Fifa's eyes he's a NZ international. Japan and J League can't then turn around and say he can't play or be classed as a Japanese citizen anymore if he's been playing for NZ, which he's already represented. It's hysteria for the sake of it it IMO
He is not eligible for Japan because at the time of his first game for NZ, he did not hold Japanese citizenship.
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIFA_eligibility_rules
Unless geopolitical changes play a role, players are generally not allowed to switch nationalities if they have made senior appearances for one FIFA-recognised country in competitive fixtures. Friendly match appearances do not commit a player to one country (though a player is usually able to switch to another national side only if he held the nationality of the second country at the time he represented his first choice national team)
He will only ever be available for NZ until the day he dies regardless if he holds a passport or renounces his citizenship.
How is this not getting through to some people (not directed at you Ryan)
Wibblebutt he got Japanese citizenship so he would no longer count as a foreigner for his team that's it. He can still play for NZ as he has done before.
Him renouncing NZ citizenship in order to obtain Japanese citizenship does NOT change things in Fifa's eyes, it's just a requirement for obtaining said Japanese citizenship.
Then explain how Paul Ifill could not play for Barbados in the example given on previous page.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kexu2mt8T5E&feature=player_embedded#t=153
last game highlights
started again in central defence tonight
I dont know enough about the current AWs as i am a fair weather fan. Sad to say i only get excited everyworld cup. I only stubled accross Fitz as we have the same last name.
To me the best players have to go to the world cup. I dont care about fallings out and is it to late i just want the best team in the field. The same standard i have for the ABs.
He has been playing very well and jt would be madness to say its just to hard or too close to the WC.
But i really am in no place to say he should be picked but just really hope they are being fair in their accessment of him
Hope he goes well tonight.
Sry text from my phone
Played another full 90mins in a 1-0 loss to Urawa Reds, that's 4 starts in a row and 3 full games.
(Can't make any sense of the google translation and hahaha his name is "my line dragon James" number 29.) What's with that?
http://www.albirex.co.jp/games/50378/live