Gershon Koffie

[akslop]

Is now a Canadian Citizen..

Can he play for Canada?

 

[Regs]

I found this:

However, if Koffie does intend on playing for Canada, it won’t be a straightforward process. Apart from jumping through the hoops of Citizenship and Immigration Canada over the next couple of years, by the book, Koffie isn’t eligible.

Under FIFA rules, a player can switch from representing one nation to another if he hasn’t received a senior competitive cap – but only if he was eligible for the second team at the time he was capped for the first team.

Koffie has been capped by Ghana at U-20 level, and at that time was not eligible to play for Canada – thus making him ineligible to represent Canada’s senior national team; however, there is a precedent that indicates FIFA is willing to make exceptions in the case of naturalization.

In February 2011, FIFA granted Thiago Motta special permission to represent Italy, despite receiving caps from Brazil at U-23 level prior to his becoming an Italian through naturalization. There is nothing in Motta’s case, at least on the surface of things, which is different from Koffie’s situation.

 

[akslop]

Interesting....

Thx Regs!

He would be an upgrade for sure

 

[dezza]

Regs that quoted text is a misinterpretation. Koffie has only played with Ghana's youth teams. There are no restrictions on players that wish to switch national associations at youth level.

I believe the switch they are referring to would be for someone who has a senior non-competitive cap, and then wishes to switch. An example of that would be Jermaine Jones (Senior friendlies for Germany, then switched to USA).

 

[Regs]

That's what I get for doing a quick google search and not cross referencing

 

[akslop]

Regs that quoted text is a misinterpretation. Koffie has only played with Ghana's youth teams. There are no restrictions on players that wish to switch national associations at youth level.

I believe the switch they are referring to would be for someone who has a senior non-competitive cap, and then wishes to switch. An example of that would be Jermaine Jones (Senior friendlies for Germany, then switched to USA).

cheers Dezza

You do a good job filling the void Left behind from JBN and his wealth of knowledge.

 

[Dude]

Is JBN dead? Is he drinking with Fastshow somewhere?

This is great news for the Caps and Canada. If this type of manuever becomes part of the model for the Caps, and Canada can benefit, why not?

And I won't even call him a turncoat.

 

[akslop]

Is JBN dead?

LOL

It was a gangland Slaying.. You think you know a guy and then........

 

[johnnybluenose]

I'm here, working 80 hours a week and thus only reading/lurking.

Love you too Dude and Polska

 

[Tuna]

I'm here, working 80 hours a week and thus only reading/lurking.

Love you too Dude and Polska

JBN,

80 hours on TTP surely can not be considered work?

 

[Gurps]

Ghana actually has a pretty good national soccer team, I am assuming his first goal would try and make that team, and if not then possibly Canada.