FFSL to include foreign players of Sri Lankan origin to the national team

By Dhammika Ratnaweera

   The Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) has decided to draft 12 foreign nationals into their National Pool from January 2021. The 12 players based in Europe will be included in the National Pool on the advice of Sri Lanka’s Head Coach and Technical Director of FFSL, Amir Alagic, said a senior official of the  FFSL. The main intention of drafting these foreign players is to introduce European-style football into the National Squad. The other target is to win the SAFF (South Asian Football Federation) title.

The FFSL is holding online discussions with non-professional youth players based in Germany, France, and England who are competing in leagues there. The selected European-based players should either be born in Sri Lanka or their parents should be of Sri Lankan origin.

Meanwhile, Five European-based young players with Sri Lankan roots have expressed their willingness to play for Sri Lanka by applying for dual citizenship. There are currently numerous players with strong Sri Lankan roots who play football in foreign leagues. The Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) has kept a close eye on all these players, tracking their progress and skill levels to see which players can bring a positive impact to the national team.

      According to the senior official of the FFSL, earlier that 12 European-based foreigners would be included in the national pool from January in preparation for internationals and for Sri Lanka to adopt European-style football. The following five players have already applied for dual citizenship and started the necessary process of making it into the national squad. They are Hamilton O Mervyn, brothers Reef Sebastian Peries and Ryan Sebastian Peries, Haneef Mohamed Haseef Mohamed and Vigneswaran Dagsan. Hamilton O Mervyn who is also known as Marvin Hamilton is playing for the English Non-League team Whitehawk FC. The 32-year-old midfielder’s mother is a Sri Lankan and he has nearly completed all the steps necessary in getting him eligible for the squad.

Reef Sebastian Peries, a right wing-back, is young talent at the age of 19 who currently plays for the Academy team of Woking FC, who compete in the English National League. Midfielder Ryan Anthony Peries, aged 18, currently plays for Bournemouth University FC. They have Sri Lankan grandparents.

Haneef Mohamed Haseef Mohamed is a 27-year-old attacking player who currently showcases his talents at FC Engstringen, in the 3rd division of the Swiss Football League. Vigneswaran Dagsan is another player who plays in the 3rd division of the Swiss League, playing for Lausanne Sport, at the young age of 16 years. 

The parents of Haneef and Dagsan are Sri Lankans. Waseem Razeeq and his brother Muzaqir Razeeq are already eligible to represent the Sri Lankan national team.

Other eligible having Sri Lankan parents are Claudio Matthias Kammerknecht, Canistan Regize, Kelly Garrett Christopher, Manimeldura Leon Perera, Tiffan Anthonypillai, Chikereuba Tochokwu Francis (spouse and children Sri Lankan) and Poopathithasan Nilooshan.