12.02.2010
Driver's Scotland ambition dashed
Hearts' English-born midfielder Andrew Driver learned on Friday that his hopes of playing for Scotland were over.
New Scotland boss Craig Levein was keen to make Driver, who was born in Oldham and has played for England's Under-21s, the first senior player to benefit from a recent change in eligibility criteria that allows those with five years schooling in a country to represent his or her adopted nation.
But the Scottish Football Association discovered he was not eligible under the new school rule after investigating his education history.
The SFA said in a statement: "The Scottish FA regrets to confirm that Andrew Driver cannot be considered for selection by the national coach, Craig Levein, under the terms of the revised eligibility rules.
"Upon investigation of Andrew Driver's eligibility by the Scottish FA, it has emerged that - despite widespread public belief since the inception of this new rule - the player does not, in fact, fulfil this criterion."
Levein added: "Firstly, let me express my heartfelt sympathy and deep disappointment for the player, who had expressed a keenness to play for Scotland when it first emerged he may have been eligible under the new rules.
"Unfortunately, after carrying out the necessary procedures, it emerged that he had not been educated for a minimum of five years at primary or secondary school in this country.
"I spoke to the player and his father to inform them and they were obviously and understandably disappointed.
"I consider Andrew a fantastic player with a great future ahead of him and I would have been delighted to work with him at Scotland."
Source: © 2010 AFP - Pontus Lundahl
|
/ .jpg)
