Jack Grealish’s full international debut, and inevitable online abuse, will have to be delayed until 2016.
There was the possibility that the Aston Villa youngster would be given the chance to show what he can do in England’s upcoming friendlies against Spain and France with injuries to both Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain both out of the running with injuries.
But Fifa told Sky Sports on Wednesday that the player had not yet been cleared to change associations from Ireland, whom he represented at underage level, to England.
A Fifa spokesperson said: “We can confirm having been contacted by the Football Association with a request for change of association of the player Jack Grealish.
“The matter is pending and being investigated by our services and as a result, we are not in a position to comment on it any further nor to give an estimation as to the relevant time line.”
Roy Hodgson names his squad for the above friendlies on Thursday afternoon and while Grealish won’t be able to be officially named, the 20-year-old may still travel with the team to Alicante in order to get to know his international teammates.
