Manchester United star Adnan Januzaj set to snub England and play for Kosovo
Posted Saturday, February 15, 2014 by Dailystar.co.uk
ADNAN JANUZAJ is poised to make his international debut next month - for Kosovo.
INVITED TO PLAY: Manchester United's Adnan Januzaj has been invited to play for Kosovo in a friendly against Haiti
The Manchester United sensation has been asked to play in Kosovo’s first-ever match, on the same night England face Denmark in a friendly at Wembley.
The FA want to lure the 19-year-old to play for England with Roy Hodgson impressed by his impact at Old Trafford this season.
But Starsport can reveal the winger has already been invited to play for Kosovo against Haiti on March 5.
“We are in discussions with Adnan’s family and to have a player of his amazing talent play in our very first match would be hugely symbolic,” said Eroll Salihu, the secretary general of the Football Federation of Kosovo.
“We feel he owes it to his people to take some part in the match, even if it is for just 15 minutes.
“I stress this is a symbolic gesture. By playing in this match we are not thinking he is making any commitment to us.
“It is a friendly and would not have an affect on him being able to play for another country in the future.
“It is not our purpose to do that, but we hope he can be with us on a very special and memorable occasion.”
WANTED MAN: Januzaj is wanted by England, Serbia, Kosovo, Albania, and Belgium
The sought after teenager is also wanted by Belgium, Albania, Turkey and Serbia.
Januzaj was born in Brussels but qualifies for Albania through his Kosovan-Albanian parents, Turkey through his grandparents and Serbia as Kosovo’s independence has not been recognised by the United Nations.
Current FIFA rules state a player has to have lived in a country for five years before he can represent them - meaning England must wait until he is 23.
Hodgson revealed on Wednesday that the FA are looking into the matter.
Salihu expects a decision from the Januzaj camp next week, with Kosovo due to publish the names of their first-ever squad on March 2.
Although Januzaj could still be selected for England in the future, if he were to line up for Kosovo it would add to the political complexities of his case.
LOOKING INTO THE MATTER: Roy Hodgson says the FA are looking into the possibility of Januzaj representing England
It is understood several players who have family connections with Kosovo and have previously featured for other national teams, have already committed themselves to appearing in the match at the 18,000 capacity Aden Jashari Stadium in Mitrovica in the north of the country.
Kosovo are able to face Haiti - who are ranked 79 in the world - following a historic FIFA ruling last month.
Since Kosovo declared independence in 2008, Januzaj has regularly visited his extended family there.
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