The Barcelona player, Siarhei Rutenka (29), is faced with the possibility to lose his Spanish citizenship. The problem is that the Spanish federation that gave him the passport in 2008, had him in the future plans for the national team. In 2008 in Beijing he couldn’t play for Spain, as it was too early after leaving the Slovenian national team, but the Spaniards were ready to wait for the time when he is allowed to play. However, Rutenka decided before the qualifications for the European Championship 2012 in Serbia, that he will play for Belarus, and he did so.
Rutenka himself said that he had no idea that this could pose a problem and perhaps the losing of the spanish citizenship. He also added that “he always wanted to play for Belarus, and this happened” and that this is more of a private matter, and should be left alone on this subject.
Apart from him, a Spanish nationality in 2008 was also granted to the goalkeeper Arpad Sterbik, then both players of Ciudad Real. Now, the Spanish federation is angry at the move of Rutenka, and might ask the “revoking of passport”.