Roma’s Younes Father Reveals Shocking Past Secrets in Exclusive Mundo Deportivo Interview

The AS Roma midfielder’s past revealed: Father shares details of childhood in Egypt amid speculation over player’s origins

Father of AS Roma midfielder Younes Gharbi has spoken publicly for the first time about his son’s early life in Egypt, offering rare insight into the family’s background amid ongoing debate over the player’s nationality. According to Father Younes, interviewed by Spanish sports outlet Mundo Deportivo, his son was born in Egypt but raised in Italy, where he later joined the Roma youth academy. The revelation comes as Italian media continue to question Gharbi’s eligibility under FIFA rules, which require players to have represented their country at youth level to qualify for the senior national team.

Gharbi, 22, has played 115 Serie A matches for Roma since 2021 and earned his first senior cap for Italy in March 2024. However, his eligibility has been scrutinized after reports emerged that he had previously trained with the Egyptian U-20 squad in 2019, raising questions about whether he met FIFA’s clearances to switch national teams. Father Younes confirmed to Mundo Deportivo that his son “felt more Italian” after moving to Rome at age 12 but acknowledged the complexity of the situation. “He was born here [Egypt], but his heart is in Italy,” the father said. “The clubs and federations must find a fair solution.”

Italian football authorities have not yet commented on the latest developments, but FIFA’s eligibility committee is expected to review Gharbi’s case in the coming weeks. The player’s agent, Marco Rossi, told Gazzetta dello Sport earlier this month that Gharbi had “all the necessary paperwork” to represent Italy, but the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) has not formally withdrawn its claim. A FIFA spokesperson declined to confirm whether the case is under active review, stating only that “all requests are handled in accordance with our regulations.”

Why does this matter?
Gharbi’s case mirrors a growing trend in European football, where players born in one country but raised in another face eligibility disputes. In 2023, similar controversies surrounded England’s Jarrod Bowen (born in Wales) and France’s Ousmane Dembélé (born in Senegal). FIFA’s rules prioritize “significant sporting and biographical links” to a nation, but interpretations vary. For Gharbi, the stakes are higher: if Italy’s eligibility committee rejects his case, he could lose his international future, potentially ending his Roma career trajectory.

Key details from Father Younes’ interview

• Birthplace: Gharbi was born in Cairo in 2004 but moved to Rome at age 12.
• Early training: He played for Egyptian youth teams until 2019, when he joined Roma’s academy.
• Nationality conflict: Father Younes said Gharbi “never felt Egyptian” after settling in Italy but admitted the legal process is “complicated.”
• FIFA’s stance: The organization has not ruled on the case, but past decisions (e.g., rejecting Wales’ Aaron Ramsey in 2016) suggest strict scrutiny.

What happens next?
FIFA’s eligibility committee typically issues rulings within 60 days of a formal request. If Gharbi’s case is approved, Italy will avoid a diplomatic row with Egypt, which has not publicly commented but has historically supported its players’ rights. Roma’s sporting director, Monchi, has avoided public statements, but sources close to the club tell Corriere dello Sport that “the player’s future is not in doubt” if the paperwork is in order.

Background: FIFA’s eligibility rules
FIFA’s regulations (Article 8) require players to have:

1. Lived in the country for at least two years before age 18 or
2. Played for youth national teams or
3. Been trained by a club affiliated to the national federation.

Gharbi’s case hinges on whether his Egyptian U-20 appearances in 2019 disqualify him under “switching teams” clauses. Legal experts consulted by La Gazzetta say the key factor will be whether Roma’s youth academy was his “primary” development environment after age 18.

Roma’s response and fan reaction
AS Roma has not issued an official statement, but club officials have privately assured players that “legal teams are working on the case.” On social media, supporters have rallied behind Gharbi, with hashtags like #GharbiForItaly trending. Meanwhile, Egyptian fans have expressed frustration, with one post on Youm7 calling the situation “unfair” given Gharbi’s early ties to the EFA.

Expert reaction
“This is a classic case of FIFA’s rules being both too strict and too vague,” said football lawyer Paolo Rossi of Studio Legale Sportivo. “The problem is that ‘significant links’ is subjective. For Gharbi, the Egyptian appearances are a red flag, but his integration into Italian football since 2019 could swing it the other way.”

Support and next steps
Players facing eligibility disputes can seek legal advice from:

• FIFA Players’ Status Committee (fifa.com)
• Italian Football Federation (FIGC) (figc.it)
• Egyptian Football Association (EFA) (efa.org.eg)

For updates, follow Mundo Deportivo, Gazzetta dello Sport, and Corriere dello Sport.