"Image source, Getty Images Craig Bellamy has been thwarted in his bid for Celtic forward Callum Osmand to represent Wales at senior level. The 19-year-old was born in Jersey, which allowed him to represent Wales at both under-16 and under-17 level. But a change in rules surrounding footballers born in the Channel Islands means he is now only available for England."
"Osmand's Wales age-grade appearances were allowed because, previously, players born in the Crown Dependencies - that include the Channel Islands - could do so. However, players from British Crown Dependencies which are not full Fifa or Uefa members can now only represent England as, unlike fellow Jersey-born Wales U21s player Luke Harris, Osmand has no Welsh heritage. Similarly Australia-born Lyndon Dykes is eligible for Scotland through his Scottish parents."
"The Crown Dependencies have a unique place in the structure of the British Isles the King is head of state, but they have their own governments and are not part of the United Kingdom. Jersey's attempts to join Uefa were thwarted in 2018 and the islands are seen as county football associations within the structure of the English Football Association."
A rules change now restricts players born in British Crown Dependencies that are not full FIFA or UEFA members to representing England unless they have specific home-nation heritage. Callum Osmand, born in Jersey, previously represented Wales at under-16 and under-17 levels but is now only eligible for England because he lacks Welsh ancestry. Craig Bellamy expressed interest in Osmand for Wales but confirmed he is not eligible. Osmand has recently emerged at Celtic, scoring his first senior goal and earning a place in their Europa League squad. The Crown Dependencies are politically distinct from the UK and are treated within the English FA structure.
Read at www.bbc.com
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