Clarification on stories linking the Chelsea 'keeper with England...

Clarification on stories linking the Chelsea 'keeper with England...

Further to today's reports linking Carlo Cudicini with England, we can clarify the situation from an FA perspective.

"We are aware the situation as regards Carlo Cudicini," an FA spokesman confirmed.

"However, we would also remind people that issues of nationality are a matter from the Home Office rather than the football authorities"

For reference, Article 18 of FIFA's Statutes state that: "Any player who is a naturalised citizen of a country in virtue of that country's laws shall be eligible to play for a national or representative team of that country."

The Statutes also say that: "If a player has been included in a national or representative team of a country for which he is eligible to play...., he shall not be permitted to take part in an international match for another country. "Accordingly, any player who is qualified to play for more than one national association (i.e. who has dual nationality) will be deemed to have committed himself to one association only when he plays his first international match in an official competition (at any level) for that association."

Carlo Cudicini has not played in a competitive match for Italy so in the case that he is granted British nationality he could theoretically be eligible for England (as well as the other British associations)

We will keep you updated should there be any update on this story.