Statement criticises AZ Alkmaar’s Jóhannsson over decision to make himself eligible for USA.
The Icelandic FA have released a statement strongly criticising Aron Jóhannsson after his decision to make himself eligible for the USA ahead of the 2014 World Cup.
The 22 year-old was born in the USA to Icelandic parents, and moved back to Iceland at a young age, where he grew up.
The AZ Alkmaar striker has played 10 games for Iceland’s U21 side, eight of which were in UEFA competitions, and his switch has prompted the Icelandic FA to release a statement which suggested he was motivated by the greater income which would be available to him through grants and sponsorship as a USA player.
The statement then goes on to a pointed remark that says Icelandic players play for “land and country, for which they get honour and glory”. Despite these scathing comments, the Icelandic FA then go on to make clear their wish that Jóhannsson should change his mind and come back into the Icelandic fold. They cite his games played at U21 level, his football education with Fjölnir and announce they have requested Aron to participate in the next international match against the Faroe Islands on August 14th.
The FA even go as far as calling for the press and public to respond to the statement and challenge Jóhannsson to continue as an Icelandic player.
See the full statement here, or if you speak Icelandic, here.
COMMENTS