Rezaei playing for Italy?! Give me a break!

The news out of Italy this week was that Rahman Rezaei, Iran international defender, who plays his football for Messina of Serie A has obtained Italian citizenship.

Not a big deal, obviously, as there are many foreign players in EU who have chosen to do that because it helps their employment situation. For one, by not being counted towards the obligatory foreign player quota, they make themselves more marketable.

Well, apparently this is a new concept for many Iranian reporters. There have been suggestions that Rezaei may want to play for Italy!

That is rubbish for many reasons, first and foremost, the last thing Itlay needs right now is another defender! Besides, FIFA has very strict rules covering this area. Players who have played for one country’s senior team must jump through so many hoops before they can be eligible to play for another that in most cases it is just impossible.

So relax all you Iranian fans. Rezaei is not going anywhere.