Declan Rice’s declaration that he was switching international allegiance from Ireland to England received a huge response on Twitter, some of it angry, a LOT of it very funny.
Unless you’ve been under a rock for the past few hours, you’re aware of the announcement of a certain West Ham United defensive midfielder over which country he has chosen to play for.
Yep, after months and months of speculation, Declan Rice picked… England. Football fans took to Twitter to express their delight, anger, confusion and memes on the #Decision, with predictably hilarious results.
England fans were naturally delighted with the decision:
Getting Declan Rice from Ireland is probably the only successful trade deal the UK are going to negotiate with the EU this year.
— Chris (@chrs00) February 13, 2019
https://twitter.com/jamiewhusteele/status/1095745404807888901
He’s one of our own….He’s one of our own…Declan Rice….he’s one of our own.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) February 13, 2019
The moment Eric Dier heard the news Declan Rice changed allegiance to England. pic.twitter.com/QPQdGbdH64
— 🏴 Bill 父 🇬🇧 (@billbaggs1080) February 13, 2019
There were a lot more Ireland supporters who, unsurprisingly, were not:
If you’re a “proud Englishman” then why play for us in the first place?
— Kevin Kilbane (@kdkilbane77) February 13, 2019
https://twitter.com/deanvannguyen/status/1095725685862207494
Declan Rice has declared for England. That's a tough one to take for Irish football – and a reminder of the perils of being too reliant on players you don't produce yourself
— Daniel McDonnell (@McDonnellDan) February 13, 2019
https://twitter.com/little_football/status/1095719721549340673
https://twitter.com/johngosullivan/status/1095720979899314179
Declan Rice hates Irish football so much he made his announcement in the run up to the LOI kick off.
— Dodge (@seidodge) February 13, 2019
https://twitter.com/shanecostellos1/status/1095721299945631745
Thank fuck this is over. He's prouder of his English heritage than his Irish one – fair enough. Only regret is he ever put on the green in the first place. Let's learn that lesson, at least. Onwards.
— The Opel Jersey (@TheOpelJersey) February 13, 2019
Devastated Declan Rice has declared for England, he would have been perfect up front with Declan Chips and Declan Curry-Sauce.
— Michael Fry (@BigDirtyFry) February 13, 2019
How could you kiss the badge of a country and then move pic.twitter.com/YJOrOs65HP
— Liam (@liambynre) February 13, 2019
I fucking hate Declan Rice.
— The Irish Guy (@the_irishguy) February 13, 2019
Declan Rice. pic.twitter.com/azYXFpaxFZ
— Carl Mullan (@CarlMullan) February 13, 2019
Others meanwhile pointed to the major problem in all this, which is FIFA’s eligilibility rules allowing a player to switch allegiance despite being capped:
We have lost a player who could turn out to be amazing (likely, given the season he is having), but most galling is the fact that he won three SENIOR caps. Whatever about underage switches, this rocks the integrity of international football. FIFA need to take stock.
— Mark McCadden (@markmccadden) February 13, 2019
https://twitter.com/KevBeirne/status/1095725764799066112
Couldn’t give a fuck about Declan Rice choosing England over Ireland but if you’ve played every level for your country then choose another one when your talent fulfils then your a total cunt
— Stevie Beveridge 🏴🐝 (@StevieBev) February 13, 2019
Meanwhile, some chose to see the upside of the whole episode:
https://twitter.com/Sean_McMahon89/status/1095727363734810625
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