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If you mean that some applications for citizenship are fast-tracked, yes they are, and that's also a decision of the government. Many around the world do so when they need to attract scientists or workers of a particular skill. This is not different.

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One minor point here...it is different as those employed 'abroad' are not doing so to represent that country. They are merely being employed to work for a company and the citizenship is done to comply with employment laws. Football IS different in that, while still a business and therefore subject to business rules (which applies more easily to club football than internationals), the players are representing a nation...and it looks rather pathetic if a nation chooses to represent itself with people who have no real ties with that country. Ireland had its fair share of critics when it utilised the Grandmother rule to use lots of English players. It will be a sad day when a country represents itself with a collection of 11 'ringers'.

Surely the whole point of international football is to see who's the best 'nation'?

We may well see the day when a country lifts the world cup with a team of 'foreigners'...the country itself may well rejoice, but in truth it will be a hollow cheer as the team that holds the trophy will bear little connection to the nation whose jersey it wears.

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