Jude Bellingham’s Clever Loophole: Why He Got an Irish Passport to Join Real Madrid
Published: 19:57 7 Sep 2024 GMT+1
In a move that has raised eyebrows in the football world, Jude Bellingham reportedly applied for an Irish passport to facilitate his transfer to Real Madrid last summer. The young midfielder, who has recently been ruled out of the start of the new La Liga season due to injury, has been making headlines for his impressive performances in his debut campaign with Los Blancos.
How Did He Do It?
The 21-year-old, who has become a key player for the Spanish giants, was allowed to play for Real thanks to a clever loophole that took advantage of the current rules regarding non-EU players in La Liga. As part of the British withdrawal from the European Union, British players are now classified as non-EU, which meant that there was a limit on the number of non-EU players that could be signed by La Liga clubs. Real Madrid, however, had already filled their available non-EU slots.
The Solution: Irish Heritage
To get around this restriction, Real asked Bellingham to apply for an Irish passport. As the midfielder has ancestral ties to Ireland through his paternal grandmother, he was eligible to apply for an Irish passport. And with the Irish passport in his pocket, Bellingham was able to join the Spanish giants without taking up one of their limited non-EU slots.
Not the Only One to Exploit the Loophole
Bellingham is not the only player to exploit this loophole. Atletico Madrid midfielder Conor Gallagher, who also has Irish heritage, did the same when he joined the Madrid-based club from Chelsea last summer.
What Are the Implications?
While this move may not have a significant impact on Real Madrid’s squad building, it does highlight the complexities of the current player transfer landscape. As international football continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how clubs adapt and find ways to navigate these challenges.
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