Arteta ineligible for England

Mikel Arteta is not eligible to play for England.

As Arteta has resided in England for five years, he was thought to be able to play for Fabio Capello’s international team. However, Fifa, football’s world governing body, has moved to clarify the situation.

“Under our understanding of Fifa rules the player is ineligible to play for England,” an FA spokesman said.

“Fifa article 18. 1 (a) states: ‘At the time of [a player’s] first full or partial appearance in an international match in an official competition for his current Association, he must already have the nationality of the representative team for which he wishes to play’.”

Arteta has figured for Spain at Under-16 and Under-17 level and, as such, is unable to switch his allegiance.