Almost two months after switching his allegiance from Ireland, Jack Grealish is still not eligible to represent England.
FIFA has confirmed that his paperwork hasn’t been processed, though they have given no reason for the delay.
Almost two months have passed since English-born Grealish declared he wanted to play for England rather than Ireland following talks with Roy Hodgson.
The midfielder played at youth level for the Boys in Green through his grandparents, but England boss Hodgson told the 20-year-old he had the potential to play for the country of his birth.
After this the Aston Villa midfielder announced on Twitter on 28 September: "It was not an easy decision as Ireland has a special place with me through my family.
“But I have decided to represent the country of my birth."
The Football Association (FA) expected FIFA would take between four to six weeks to process the papers, but nearly two months on, there has been no progress.
A FIFA spokesperson said: "We can confirm having been contacted by the Football Association with a request for change of association of the player Jack Grealish.
"The matter is pending and being investigated by our services and as a result, we are not in a position to comment on it any further nor to give an estimation as to the relevant time line."
No explanation has been given for the delay, but the FA says they are unaware of problem with the matter.
Given his recent sub-par performances with Villa, Grealish, pictured above in 2013 playing for Ireland Under-21s, is a fair way down the pecking order with England anyway.
"He won't be included in the squad for Watford," Garde said on Thursday.
The player has been in trouble with his club for off-the-field issues too.
Villa manager Remi Garde has dropped Grealish from his squad for this weekend's game against Watford after the player was filmed partying following the 4-0 defeat to Everton last week.
"He won't be included in the squad for Watford," Garde said on Thursday.
"(His actions) are not of the professional standard that I expect from my players. That is why Jack is training in the under-21 team."
With no competitive internationals between now and next year’s Euros in France, Grealish won’t technically be tied to England at senior international level before the competition starts.
This means he could still feature for Ireland, though this seems a long-shot given his recent decision.
Ireland qualified for France 2016 thanks to the recent two-legged qualifier play-off win over Bosnia-Herzegovina.
