HANOI, April 3 (Reuters) - Brazilian striker Robson Carneiro Lino has applied for Vietnamese nationality in an attempt to
become the first non-native to represent the country in international sport, official media reported on Wednesday.
The Tuoi Tre newspaper said 23-year-old Lino, who plays for
first division Dong Tam Brick, is seeking Vietnamese nationality
after only six months in the country.
'It's something I deeply desire and I will be very proud if
one day I could put on the shirt of the Vietnam national
football team,' the paper quoted the Brazilian as saying.
Lino said he would be prepared to sacrifice his Brazilian
passport to acquire Vietnamese citizenship.
He said he made the decision because of the passion for
football in Vietnam and the care and compassion supporters
extended to him when he was injured recently.
The paper also quoted the head of legal affairs at the
country's sport committee, Le Trong Khoan, as saying that to
date only Vietnamese had been allowed to represent the nation.
But he said that it was now necessary to review the
situation to allow foreign talents to boost the country's
sports.
Khoan said Lino first needed to complete all application
procedures and that only the president had the authority to
grant him Vietnamese nationality.
Vietnamese teams have hired many foreign players in recent
years, including Thai striker Kiatisak 'Zico' Senamuang.
- NEWS
