I get really tired of the nationalistic blarney SUBJECTIVE bollox talked by the didle-ey-dil-dee God fearing "love your country" cretins on this topic.
Every man, regardless of country of origin, must decide for HIMSELF whether he considers it right or wrong to align himself to a country's cause. I don't give two fúcks what everyone else dreams of while wanking themselves to sleep. If an individual does not enjoy being part of a particular group for WHATEVER reason, wether valid or not, it is THEIR decision, not anyone elses.
Mark Twain said it best when he said "Each man must for himself alone decide what is right and what is wrong, which course is patriotic and which isn't. You cannot shirk this and be a man. To decide against your conviction is to be an unqualified and excusable traitor, both to yourself and to your country, let them label you as they may."
Relax, hes not being asked to pick up a rifle and go to war and die for his country, hes being asked to kick a football around in a green shirt ffs. Fact is hes not arsed playing for his country, i dont think Mark Twain was referring to that.
In other words - Stephens choice is his choice - if you can't respect that, you deserve no respect yourself.