Aymeric Laporte switch from France to Spain approved by Fifa

[tiger76]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57111641

This will be a big boost to their Euro hopes this summer.

[Falcon]

France have an embarrassment of talent at the moment, so makes sense for the player as he wasn't being selected.

Spain aren't having such a good time of it, so better chance for him there. And better for them having a top class player available.

Everyone's a winner, baby.

[GodIsADeeJay81]

How's he managed that?

Is that because he lived there for a number of years?

[tiger76]

How's he managed that?

Is that because he lived there for a number of years?

Rule change that makes it easier to switch was introduced recently, https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54211943

Although quite how Laporte qualifies to represent Spain I'm still not entirely sure, I guess he must have some grounds otherwise FIFA wouldn't have authorised it.

It does make you wonder how much more of this we'll see in the coming years. Declan Rice is another notable example with his high-profile switch from the ROI to England, as is Che Adams to Scotland, however both those players had family connections to those respective nations, whereas Laporte doesn't appear to have any obvious Spanish links.

[Vegas Claret]

I've decided to switch from England to the Faroe Islands in the hope of getting picked

[Red Fox Rocks Socks]

Rule change that makes it easier to switch was introduced recently, https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54211943

Although quite how Laporte qualifies to represent Spain I'm still not entirely sure, I guess he must have some grounds otherwise FIFA wouldn't have authorised it.

It does make you wonder how much more of this we'll see in the coming years. Declan Rice is another notable example with his high-profile switch from the ROI to England, as is Che Adams to Scotland, however both those players had family connections to those respective nations, whereas Laporte doesn't appear to have any obvious Spanish links.

I wonder if he’s Basque? Maybe that qualifies you for both countries?

[jollyjack]

Laporte shows France the door....

[gandhisflipflop]

I wonder if he’s Basque? Maybe that qualifies you for both countries?

I think he is Basque.

[Herts Clarets]

I've decided to switch from England to the Faroe Islands in the hope of getting picked

I've done the same but switched to Scotland. I am 52, overweight, never had any pace to lose and have very limited footballing ability. However I own shin pads and a pair of boots so I make my debut next month

[Fez]

He's not basque. I think one grand parent was, bilbao and kicked off about it when they brought him in as a youngster

[GodIsADeeJay81]

If he wasn't Basque, then Bilbao wouldn't play him, they're very strict about that rule.

[chekhov]

I think he is Basque.

He obviously didn’t put all his Basques in one exit.

[SalouClaret]

He apparently moved to Spain at 16 years old. He ruled out playing for Spain just 2 years ago but seems to have changed his mind. Brilliant player!