Capello left red-faced as Arteta is ruled OUT for England

Fabio Capello has scored another own goal after FIFA last night ruled Mikel Arteta cannot play for England.

England boss Capello was interested in recruiting the Spanish midfielder and spoke to him after Everton's draw at Wolves last month.

But under-pressure Capello was left red-faced after a little known FIFA rule made it clear that Arteta was never eligible to play for England in the first place.

FIFA rule 18.1.a states Arteta would have had to have held a British passport when he represented Spain at youth level. Arteta was hoping to play for England after completing five years residency in the United Kingdom.

But an FA spokesman said last night: "Our understanding is he is ineligible to play."

It is an embarrassment for Capello to try and pick and a player who is not even eligible but will save the FA controversy as Scotland boss Craig Levein has also insisted there is a gentleman's agreement between the Home Nations not to exploit loopholes.

It comes as current players have warned against picking foreign players for the England team following the example set by Portugal picking Brazilian-born Deco and Germany also using players who were born overseas.

Liverpool defender Carragher says only English-born players should represent England and even said that the Three Lions should be managed by an Englishman rather than an Italian.

Carragher, in an interview with Talksport, said: "To be honest, I think it should be English players playing for England.

"Other countries do break or bend the rules. But I also think the manager should be English, even though I've still got great respect for Fabio Capello.

"But with England I believe they should all be English, the players, management and even the medical staff. That's what it's all about."

England midfielder Gareth Barry, whose place would be under threat if Arteta was able to switch allegiances, has also warned Capello it would block young English players.

Barry added: "A lot of other countries are doing it. The German team in the summer had a high percentage of players who weren't born in the country. It's such a tough debate.

"It's like anything, if rules are there, laws are there, then it can happen and if they can help make you better then you've got to try and use them. It's such a hard debate and I myself don't know where to stand on it.

"Yeah, of course. If you're next in and then you find Muikel Arteta taking your place and suddenly you're waiting for another three or four years for a chance then of course it's going to be frustrating."

England boss Capello will be without Peter Crouch for tomorrow's opening Euro 2012 qualifier with Bulgaria after the Tottenham striker returned home with the rib injury suffered last weekend.

Everton defender Phil Jagielka is also struggling with an ankle injury while keeper Ben Foster, set to be understudy to first choice Joe Hart, should be fit despite a back problem.

Capello's defensive problems - with John Terry and Rio Ferdinand also out - mean he is leaning towards Michael Dawson and Matt Upson as his preferred pairing.