FIFA, soccer’s world governing body, has, of course, been splashed all over the news lately for all the wrong reasons, ie, bribery, scandal.
Not wanting to kick FIFA while their down, but their rule that doesn’t allow international students to play in local, non-school-sanctioned soccer leagues, must be looked at.
In Greater Vernon, there are approximately 200 international students, ie, students who come from different countries, whose parents pay to have them come and live and study in the community.
Of those 200, there are about 50 students who are in high school grades and who love the game of soccer.
If the school doesn’t have a soccer team or program, the only other option is the North Okanagan Youth Soccer Association. And NOYSA can’t let the international students play in their program because of a FIFA ruling that states any international player must apply for an International Transfer Certificate and to get that, the student must be moving to Canada with his or her parents for purposes other than just soccer.
NOYSA is simply following the lead of B.C. Soccer, which follows the Canadian Soccer Association who falls under FIFA. NOYSA’s hands are tied.
The point of the rule seems to be not allowing local teams to use imported players but it’s not like local youth associations actively recruit imports.
The international students pay to come here. They live here. They go to school here. They shop here. So why can’t they play here? If they’re better than the local kids, then the local kids have a chance to learn from their peers. How can that be a bad thing?
This is another case of red tape spoiling sports for youth.
