Federation stated that Jamaica fielded Mears without undergoing thorough checks because verification of a player's passport is not required for friendly internationals and such matches do not affect a player's international eligibility. After discovering his ineligibility to play for Jamaica, Mears petitioned FIFA to have the cap rescinded and have his ongoing eligibility to play for England reaffirmed. Personal life Mears is studying a course in criminal justice and counter-terrorism at Southern New Hampshire University via online. Mears is a father of four children and spouse is Nadine Mears. Mears revealed he left school when he was 15 to pursue his football career. Mears holds a U.S. green card which qualifies him as a domestic player for MLS roster purposes. Career statistics Club International Honours Seattle Sounders FC MLS Cup: 2016 References External links 1983 births Living people Footballers from Stockport English footballers Jamaican footballers Jamaica international footballers Association football defenders Manchester City F.C. players Preston North End F.C. players West Ham United F.C. players Derby County F.C. players Olympique de Marseille players Burnley F.C. players Bolton Wanderers F.C. players Seattle Sounders FC players Atlanta United FC players Minnesota United FC players West Bromwich Albion F.C. players Premier League players English Football League players Ligue 1 players Major League Soccer players Southern New Hampshire University alumni English expatriate footballers Expatriate footballers in France Expatriate soccer players in the United States English expatriate sportspeople in France English expatriate sportspeople in the United States English sportspeople of Sierra Leonean descent