REPUBLIC OF IRELAND rising star Evan Ferguson looked bemused as he shut down an interviewer’s questions about his commitment to Ireland.
The Meath teen — who agreed a new Brighton and Hove Albion contract until 2029 on Friday — was once again forced to distance himself from speculation that he may have switched allegiance and declared for England.
The 19-year-old’s mother, Sarah, was born in England, but Ferguson — who has scored three times in eight senior Irish appearances — has long been unequivocal about his desire to represent his country.
TalkSPORT’s chief football correspondent Alex Crook asked: “There’s a lot of England fans who would love to see you pull on the white shirt. Is that ever going to happen? Was that ever going to happen?”
“No, no,” Ferguson said, shaking his head.
“I don’t think that would — that’s never going to happen, no. That’s not a question.”
Ladies and Gentlemen the winner of the stupid question of 2023 goes to …… TALKSPORT
— Rep of Ireland Player Tracker (@reptracker) November 10, 2023
He’s not even eligible for England anymore, do your research !!🤡pic.twitter.com/wby72vUpbL
Crook followed up: “And what’s the reason that you’re so committed to Ireland?”
“Because I’m Irish,” Ferguson responded incredulously. “There’s nothing else to say.
“I’ve been asked that question a few times, but no. I’m Irish.”
With a clip of the exchange viewed over one million times on X within the space of a few hours on Friday afternoon, Crook attempted to distance himself from criticism of his questions.
“Me asking Evan Ferguson, whose mum was born in England, if he was ever tempted to play for England has caused a bit of storm,” he wrote on X.
“It was a tongue in cheek question as has been a story in the press.
“He answered it brilliantly with a smile as he did every other question. Top guy.”
Sharing a clip of the full 10-minute interview later on Friday, Crook accepted that “I can see that asking an Irishman why he was committed to Ireland may be seen as disrespectful, was not the intention.”
It wasn’t tongue in cheek though. Crook has has several discussions on his shows about this. Fair play to Ferguson for slapping that down the way he did
It was a question and he answered it perfectly. My god… the drama.
@IrishOwl: the same question he has answered a few times already.with crook been the “chief football correspondent” thought he would know the answer coming better than most.he was 100% been smart and trying make light of it now. Gobsh**t for talksh**t.
@Paully kells: think your a bitter man paulie. always angry. maybe open a beer and relax a bit.
We have had our fair share of English born players playing for Ireland, not to mention the hatred towards two current English internationals who were born and grew up in England. We had a CEO that wanted to be the 33rd team in a world cup. Don’t think we’re in any position to criticize these questions.
@Louise Murphy: he’s not bitter at all Lou, I enjoy Paullys comments here and on this occasion he is right. Mute him if it annoys you.
@Louise Murphy: not atal..but I’d say the young lad is getting rather sick of the same question over and over..he’s made it clear…take care
Why do the Sky sports commentators pronounce the foreign player’s names properly eg Henry or Pires , bit they don’t pay the irish player’s the same respect eg Moran, Kernaghan, Hourihane (though they do pronounce this name properly now since he took them up on it live on television)?
@Louis Jacob: Probably for the same reason Hollywood can’t do the Irish accent.
@Louis Jacob: bit they dont?
The Brits have such a polite way of being ignorant.
I suspect a lot of German fans would like to see Harry Kane line out for them. But the English wouldn’t take it too well if he was constantly pestered about it. Tin ear stuff really..
Crook-cheif football correspondent for talk sh**t he hasn’t much between the ears,and he knows damn well he was been disrespectful, well done to Evan with he’s reply put him into place.
The audacity of that question !!
Ignorant on so many levels. Ferguson is ineligible for England now. He doesn’t feel English at all. He is Irish and proud, born and bred here with an Irish father. Yes his mother is English but very disrespectful to be still asking him now.
Talk Sport is trash!
And Rice can’t remember singing come out you black and tans now
I’m all mixed up regarding the rules, does anyone actually know what they are?
You don’t hear them asking any of the English players why they are committed to England……..
A lit bit of English mischief to get some harmless revenge for the abuse Rice and Grealish got when they switched over.
@John Pembroke: deserved all the abuse they got, pair of shitehawks