Would Aymeric Laporte no longer be alone? A French defender who has never played in the France team, Laporte had requested and obtained Spanish nationality in 2021. This approach had notably enabled him to compete in Euro 2021 and the last World Cup with La Roja. On Friday, the daily As revealed that Robin Le Normand, defender of Real Sociedad, wanted to follow the same path and would have applied for Spanish nationality in turn.
A royal decree to speed up the process?
According to Spanish law, to acquire nationality, it is necessary to reside “in the territory legally and continuously” for at least 10 years. However, Le Normand arrived on the other side of the Pyrenees in 2016. He therefore lacks three years before he can make such a request.
Nevertheless, the tricolor defender could use a letter of nature which allows, according to article 21 of the Spanish Civil Code, to obtain a passport by royal decree in order to speed up the naturalization procedure. Finally, the Superior Sports Council will have to decide on the importance and role of the player in Spanish sport. In the event of a favorable response, his new identity card may be granted to him.