Mo Farah backs Wilshere over national eligibility comments

British athlete Mo Farah, has joined football player Jack Wilshere in opposing the practice of sportsmen switching nationality to compete under a flag of convenience. Arsenal's Wilshere had provoked a fierce debate by saying the only people who should play for England are English people.

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His comments followed the revelation that Belgium-born Manchester United teenager Adnan Januzaj could play for England from 2018 under FIFA's five-year residency requirement as he has yet to commit to another country.

According to the Mirror, Farah, who was born in Somalia but lived in Britain since the age of eight, said that in his situation, it was completely different because he grew up in Britain and had done everything there.

“When I run for my country, I’m very proud to run for my country,” Farah said

Farah added that it does annoy him when adult athletes change the country that they represent, the report further said.

Image: Mo Farah

Photograph: Paul Gilham/Getty Images