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This June, Australia will line-up in Brazil with a mediocre left back. Meanwhile, champions Spain will boast one of the world’s most dangerous strikers in its starting 11 – Brazilian-born Diego Costa.
FIFA’s regulations that have determined both circumstances are flawed and need to be addressed.
Adama Traore is Australia’s best left back. Born and raised in Côte d’Ivoire, the former Melbourne Victory and Gold Coast star is nevertheless an Australian. Yet he will never represent the Socceroos.
Traore was granted citizenship this year, after first gaining residency, and expressed his ambition to represent the Australian national side.
“I believe [I am good enough],” he said in September last year.
“I trust myself and if I get the opportunity to play for Australia I will take it with both hands.”
Yet just one month later, the FFA revealed Traore would never represent his adopted country.
“Under current FIFA regulations, Adama Traore will not be eligible for the Socceroos upon becoming an Australian citizen due to his participation in official matches for the Ivory Coast youth national teams at a time when he did not have Australian citizenship,” an FFA spokesperson said.
This ruling would not be so unacceptable if it wasn’t for the Diego Costa saga.
Costa made in debut for Brazil against Italy on March 21, 2013, as a replacement for Fred. He made one further appearance against Russia just a few days later. He was overlooked for the 2013 Confederations Cup squad, but he had still made his debut for the Seleção.
The only catch? Both appearances were in friendly matches.
So just six months later, Costa was granted Spanish citizenship and soon pledged his allegiance to the World and European champions. No one could blame him, Spain is the country that gave him a career. Yet Brazil coach Felipe Scolari was outraged following the defection.
“A Brazilian player who refuses to wear the shirt of the Brazilian national team and compete in a World Cup in your country is automatically withdrawn,” Scolari said.
“He is turning his back on a dream of millions, to represent our national team, the five-time champions in a World Cup in Brazil.”
Costa made his Spanish debut on March 5 this year at the Vicente Calderón Stadium, once again against Italy. He played the full 90 minutes.
So how is it a player who made his full debut for the national side is allowed to switch allegiances, while another player who played at youth level for his country is left in limbo?
Australia gave Traore an opportunity to launch his football career and to support his family financially following his father’s death in 2008. He rejected a call-up to the full national Côte d’Ivoire team because he wanted to play for Australia.
Previously, Traore played seven games for Côte d’Ivoire, representing the Under-17s, Under-19s and Under-21s, his last appearance coming in 2009. Diego Costa’s u-turn was made in the space of about five months, Traore’s last appearance for Côte d’Ivoire was about five years ago.
How many people can say they made choices five years ago that they now regret? What man aged in his teens would turn down the opportunity to play at international tournaments, therefore attracting the attention of international scouts?
Should Traore’s decision stay with him for the rest of his life?
There is no doubt Traore is Australia’s best left back. No offence to Aziz Behich, Jason Davidson, David Carney, Matt McKay and Michael Zullo – but they’re just not good enough. A line you could use for a number of Socceroos.
Traore has decided to leave the A-League and Melbourne Victory to try his luck in Europe, and chances are he’ll succeed. A-League fans will miss his resolute defending and marauding runs down the left wing of AAMI Park and Etihad Stadium and they will forever lament the fact that they’ll never see him in green and gold.
Regardless of your viewpoint on whether players such as Diego Costa should be allowed to swap allegiances, the two cases highlight FIFA’s inadequacies.
If Costa can play for Brazil, Traore should be able to represent the Socceroos.
For the World Cup Draw, World Cup squads and opinion, check out our World Cup page.
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