One reason for more liberalisation is practicality: dual nationality has become harder to control.

ECONOMIST: Dual citizenship

Italy used dual nationality as a way to fight its declining population in the 1990s.

BBC: The equation of dual citizenship

The papers may have been forged, but the identities were real: many belonged to Israeli citizens with dual nationality.

ECONOMIST: Israel and Britain

When a law was passed recently permitting them dual nationality, hardly anyone applied.

ECONOMIST: The tragedy of Elian

He has publicly questioned the loyalty of two cabinet members with dual nationality (ie, Turkish and Moroccan as well as Dutch).

ECONOMIST: Islam in the Netherlands

The Scots use this dual nationality to best effect when they emigrate.

ECONOMIST: Scottish nationalism

However, the former prime minister had been placed on a list of those deprived of the vote because they were eligible for dual nationality.

ECONOMIST: Sir Garfield Todd

But Clarke is encouraged by the rise of homegrown talent in a GB team which used to be packed with dual nationality players, often of Canadian and U.S. heritage.

CNN: Ice hockey's David faces Goliathan challenge

However it is still not yet clear whether is he is allowed now to play for Mali under new FIFA regulations, which allow players to change national allegiances but with certain restrictions on age, dual nationality and the level of past international appearances.

BBC: SPORT | Football | African | Mali confident on Kanoute

"I have a Russian passport, but I remain French and I will probably have dual Belgian nationality, " he told French sports channel L'Equipe 21.

BBC: Depardieu fails to attend court on drink-drive charge