Alex Scott: Why does Guernsey-born footballer play for England?

Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott has been called up to Thomas Tuchel's England side for November's World Cup qualifiers - meaning he could become only the third player born in the Channel Islands to play for the England men's team at a senior level.

Scott was born in Guernsey, the birthplace of former England midfielder Matt Le Tissier. Jersey's Graeme Le Saux also played in defence for the national side.

Manchester United women's defender Maya Le Tissier - stepsister of Alex Scott - is also from Guernsey and represents England.

However, earlier this week Wales boss Craig Bellamy was unsuccessful in his bid to call-up Celtic's Callum Osmond, who was born in Jersey.

So what are the rules on who Channel Islands-born players can represent internationally?

Jersey, Guernsey - including Alderney and Sark - and the Isle of Man are defined as 'Crown Dependencies', which makes them part of the British Isles but not the United Kingdom.

The islands have separate governments that deal with internal affairs, such as setting taxes, meaning they do not send MPs to Westminster - but the King remains head of state and the UK government presides over international affairs and defence issues.

Until recently, players born in the Crown Dependencies could represent any of the four home nations at senior level as they were classed as British, but not specifically English, Welsh, Scottish or Northern Irish.

But a rule change by Uefa means that Channel Islands-born players can now only represent England - the nation geographically closest to the Crown Dependencies.

This means that Osmond was eligible to play for Wales at youth level but can now no longer represent them on the senior stage.

Uefa rejected a bid by Jersey to become an international football nation in 2018, citing that the island is not a sovereign country as defined by the United Nations.

Channel Islands teams do play in a biennial Island Games with 24 smaller nations from around the world, along with small British islands Orkney, Shetland, Western Isles, and Anglesey. Alderney and Sark take part separately to Guernsey despite being part of the island's jurisdiction.

Jersey and Guernsey are recognised as separate countries in other sports, most notably cricket.

This article is the latest from BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team.

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