Eligibility Rules, Okay

[ArdeeBhoy]

I imagine that those players were born in Northern Ireland are are thus British Citizens from birth, and therefore eligible to represent Northern Ireland

But what about the ones NB mentioned up thread who he said had just Irish passports? How are they now 'British'?
:rolleyes:

[ArdeeBhoy]

Let's not be bringing football into this now...

Except this is a thread about eligibilty. Not overly much to do with football. ;)

[Not Brazil]

But what about the ones NB mentioned up thread who he said had just Irish passports? How are they now 'British'?
:rolleyes:

They are BOTH - Dual Nationals.

They don't have to have a British passport to play for Northern Ireland - they just need to be British Citizens.

They can use their Irish passport to travel to away games with Northern Ireland

[ArdeeBhoy]

Hmm, you are a British citizen without a passport??

Know of a few Brits who'd definitely dispute that....
;)

And a few people in the North who may be 'eligible', but they've never been citizens. Of Britain, that is.
Despite that dubious birthright.

[Not Brazil]

Hmm, you are a British citizen without a passport??

And a few people in the North who may be 'eligible', but they've never been citizens. Of Britain, that is.


Yes - you don't need to have a British Passport to be a British Citizen.

To be "eligible" to play for Northern Ireland, you need to be a British Citizen (caveated by Article 16 of the FIFA Statutes).

Just out of curiousity, would some ROI players travel on a British Passport?

[DannyInvincible]

The following is the written legislation on the matter, whether one would agree with it or not. Since the British Nationality Act 1981 took effect in 1983, a child born in the UK to a parent who is a British citizen or "settled" in the UK is automatically deemed a British citizen by birth. "Settled" status in this context usually means the parent is resident in the United Kingdom and has the right of abode, holds Indefinite Leave to Remain, or is the citizen of an EU/EEA country and has permanent residence. Irish citizens in the UK are also deemed settled for this purpose.

British nationality law doesn't demand its nationals possess a passport. Nationality laws of respective nations generally don't.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Unaware of that '83 Nationality Act, which to be fair would now incorporate most current players, but definitely not the case before.

And would have been around the same time that all Irish players would have to had an Irish passport, but Charlie Hurley (raised in Britain), told a supporters meeting a while back, this was 'always' the case.

DI, I guess, would give a more authoritative answer.....

[DannyInvincible]

Just out of curiousity, would some ROI players travel on a British Passport?

It's an interesting one. Often, I see FIFA's rules misrepresented in the media somewhat as we're told that "a FIFA ruling declared that possessing an Irish passport deems one eligible to play for Ireland" or some such half-informed blather. It's not necessarily a passport that makes a person eligible, but their nationality. I suppose a passport is just the document most often cited as proof of someone's nationality. The IFA situation, where players in possession of Irish passports only can play for them, would suggest that a passport may just be for identification and travel purposes, however. If this is the case, then I can't see why an Ireland player couldn't travel on a British passport as long as he's entitled to one. How would one prove their nationality other than via a passport though? How do those NI players with only an Irish passport prove their nationality to FIFA as being that that makes one eligible to play for NI, because Irish nationality alone certainly doesn't permit it? Birth certificate and birth certificate of parents perhaps?

[ifk101]

There was a few minutes discussion about the eligibility issue on last night's MNS (approx. 10 minutes in).

http://www.rte.ie/player/#v=1099059

Short interviews with Michael O'Neill, Tony Kane and Daniel Kearns.

[DannyInvincible]

And would have been around the same time that all Irish players would have to had an Irish passport, but Charlie Hurley (raised in Britain), told a supporters meeting a while back, this was 'always' the case.

I'm not actually aware of what the official position of the FAI or FIFA is regarding actual passport documents beyond the nationality of a player. Maybe someone else would know?

However, I do know that when there's talk of, say, an English-born player with Irish grandparents getting called up for us, we often hear about him getting his papers and passport processed. I take this to mean he's being issued with an Irish passport. This would suggest that the FAI at least have a policy of ensuring all our players have such a passport. Maybe it's a safety-check mechanism just to ensure the Irish nationality of the player concerned is unquestionably valid and verifiable in case the FAI ever did come under scrutiny from FIFA over something "dodgy", like Tony Cascarino's eligibility maybe. Nothing authoritative from me though, unfortunately. :o

[SwanVsDalton]

NI Supporters Clubs To Fifa: Waaaaah Waaaaah Waaaah (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/13518826.stm)

Don't really want to read it, but anyone get the Irish News today?

[DannyInvincible]

Unaware of that '83 Nationality Act, which to be fair would now incorporate most current players, but definitely not the case before.

Prior to 1983, British nationality law was actually less stringent. It was similar to how Irish nationality law was until 2005 after our automatic right to citizenship by birth in Ireland was removed by the twenty-seventh amendment to the constitution. Now, for Irish nationality to be conferred, at least one parent also needs to be an Irish national.

Before 1983, birth in the UK was generally sufficient in itself to confer British nationality irrespective of the status of parents.

[DannyInvincible]

NI Supporters Clubs To Fifa: Waaaaah Waaaaah Waaaah (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/13518826.stm)

Don't really want to read it, but anyone get the Irish News today?

They'd better be careful not to shout too loud about "footballing apartheid" or FIFA might actually get the wrong idea and unite the two associations as a solution, God forbid.

[Not Brazil]

How would one prove their nationality other than via a passport though? How do those NI players with only an Irish passport prove their nationality to FIFA as being that that makes one eligible to play for NI, because Irish nationality alone certainly doesn't permit it? Birth certificate and birth certificate of parents perhaps?

I think that's right DI - birth certificates.

You'll recall the furore about Northern Ireland players having to have a British Passport a few years back - it's not deemed neccessary.

I've seen Northern Ireland players travel on Irish Passports for years, on my travels.

You are so right about Nationality making a player eligible, not a passport - the kack that's printed about passports making a player eligible frustrates the life out of me.

[French Toasht]

"We believe this situation to be unique in world football, whereby one national association may select two jurisdictions worth of players," he said.


I could be wrong but is there not an analogous situation in Croatia, where they are free to select Bosnian Croats?

[Not Brazil]

NI Supporters Clubs To Fifa: Waaaaah Waaaaah Waaaah (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/13518826.stm)


The BBC are at it now - inaccurate reporting.

"Fifa rules include a clause allowing players to change nationality once before they play a senior competitive match if they were born on the territory of the relevant association".

In the name of Sweet Jesus.:rolleyes:

[awec]

The BBC are at it now - inaccurate reporting.

"Fifa rules include a clause allowing players to change nationality once before they play a senior competitive match if they were born on the territory of the relevant association".

In the name of Sweet Jesus.:rolleyes:

It's getting beyond a joke.

[boovidge]

NI Supporters Clubs To Fifa: Waaaaah Waaaaah Waaaah (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/13518826.stm)

Don't really want to read it, but anyone get the Irish News today?

That "Football Apartheid in Ireland" rubbish really kills of any sympathy I have for the NI fans. Absolute hyperbolic garbage.

[French Toasht]

For them to use the term "Apartheid"; such an emotionally charged phrase in this context, is absolutely disgraceful and again another terrible move PR wise. Its militant stances like this that will drive more young nationalist kids right into the hands of the FAI.

[ArdeeBhoy]

How would one prove their nationality other than via a passport though? How do those NI players with only an Irish passport prove their nationality to FIFA as being that that makes one eligible to play for NI, because Irish nationality alone certainly doesn't permit it? Birth certificate and birth certificate of parents perhaps?

Presumably that only applies to those born after 1983? Because it didn't always before that date....

[DannyInvincible]

On that piece SVD posted, it's disappointing to see the trusty old BBC are also making errors of fact I thought only fit for the Belfast Telegraph.

As regards the letter itself from the AoNISC, I can't see where it'll go at all considering FIFA aren't seriously going to give a supporters club greater consideration than one of their own member associations, the IFA, who have been pleading with them to no avail to change their position for quite some time. Filling the open letter with factual errors obviously won't have assisted the cause either.


"We believe this situation to be unique in world football, whereby one national association may select two jurisdictions worth of players," he said.


I could be wrong but is there not an analogous situation in Croatia, where they are free to select Bosnian Croats?

Not sure what the situation is with Bosnian Croats - you could easily be right - but that claim from the letter isn't even technically correct. The FAI can't really select two jurisdictions-worth of players; they can select only those players who are nationals of the country the association represents, just the same as applies to every other association around the world. The rules are universal. The FAI can't call up northern-born players who don't acknowledge or effect their birthright to Irish nationality.


For more than 50 years, the agreed and established practice of the two national football associations was always to select only those players with a territorial connection to either jurisdiction.

Assume this is alluding to the supposed "gentleman's agreement" for which CAS could find no evidence. If one had existed, you'd expect the IFA to be able to offer proof of it. There is only evidence for FIFA issuing a dictat effective upon the IFA in order to prevent them from selecting players born south of the border. No corresponding dictat was ever issued to the FAI. Regardless, rules supercede "agreed and established practice" every time.


It seems therefore that the FAI is using the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement as an excuse for breaking this longstanding policy.

Not sure why it would seem that way considering northern-born players were playing for us years before the GFA.


This FAI policy is driving a sectarian wedge between the two communities in Northern Ireland in regard to football.

There is no active "policy", but attempting to deny an Irishman the right to express his identity and play for his country drives a wedge just as deep as the one alleged.


We are hugely proud to support a team that includes members of both traditions in Northern Ireland, and want to continue to do so.

It will continue to do so.


We want an end to Football Apartheid in Ireland.

Indeed; come join us as one. ;)

[Charlie Darwin]

There is a somewhat analogous case in Germany with Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski. Both were born in what was then, and remains, the state of Poland but both are entitled to German citizenship by birth due to the way the borders were divided after the wars. I don't think that entitlement is granted anymore, though, which is where the parallels end.

[DannyInvincible]

Presumably that only applies to those born after 1983? Because it didn't always before that date....

Not sure what you're referring to exactly. Presumably what only applies? Prior to a few years ago - I'm sure NB can provide the exact year - it was my understanding that if a player wished to play for the IFA, they expected him to possess a British passport. It's possible that FIFA also expected the same of such players; likely actually, as I seem to recall someone at the IFA having to lobby FIFA for a change in order to allow players with only Irish passports, but otherwise eligible, to play for NI. Neither have this expectation as a rule any longer. I don't know whether FIFA have abolished their stipulation universally or if it's just a case of making a special allowance for the IFA, where their players need not prove eligibility via a British passport but by birth certificate.

[bwagner]

In the star today , they mention that young Conor Delvin on Man utd (GK) is the next to switch from the North ... I can see this thing im getting a lot worse for the North.

[Not Brazil]

Prior to a few years ago - I'm sure NB can provide the exact year - it was my understanding that if a player wished to play for the IFA, they expected him to possess a British passport. It's possible that FIFA also expected the same of such players; likely actually, as I seem to recall someone at the IFA having to lobby FIFA for a change in order to allow players with only Irish passports, but otherwise eligible, to play for NI. Neither have this expectation as a rule any longer.

May 2006.

FIFA decreed that the players representing the IFA would have to possess a British Passport to confirm eligibility - the IFA approached FIFA, and had this requirement scrapped.

Prior to the FIFA diktat, the IFA had never objected to players holding an Irish Passport playing for Northern Ireland.

FIFA advised that he mere fact that a person may be holding an Irish passport did not provide conclusive evidence for a match commissioner to know that a player is entitled to represent Northern Ireland.

Less than 1 month later, the matter was resolved, and FIFA accepted that Northern Ireland players could hold either passport and travel on these as long as the IFA certifies the eligibility of the players involved.

From personal experience, I know that Northern Ireland players were travelling on Irish passports before May 2006 - I travelled to the West Indies with Northern Ireland in 2004, and some players were travelling on Irish Passports.

[DannyInvincible]

I travelled to the West Indies with Northern Ireland in 2004, and some players were travelling on Irish Passports.

Aye, but how many caps did you get? :p

So is this what you might call a "special dispensation" for the IFA or did FIFA scrap the passport stipulation universally, do you know?

[Charlie Darwin]

I don't see why there'd be a problem traveling on an Irish passport. FIFA only need it to confirm you are who you say you are - eligibility is all sorted out before that.

[Not Brazil]

So is this what you might call a "special dispensation" for the IFA or did FIFA scrap the passport stipulation universally, do you know?

I don't honestly know DI, but I suspect it was "an Irish thing", so to speak.

[BonnieShels]

I don't honestly know DI, but I suspect it was "an Irish thing", so to speak.

Nay an Irish solution to an Irish problem?

[BonnieShels]

Comments made on BBC NI coverage after the Ireland v Northern Ireland Nations' Cup game by Jim Magilton:


Stephen Watson: Giovanni Trappatoni told me tonight that FIFA must sort out this eligibility rule and this, eh, so-called poaching of players. Wha... what's your take as a former Northern Ireland captain of what the Republic of Ireland are doing at the moment?

Jim Magilton: I agree. You know... eh... I think that they... eh.. FIFA should... it's simple. Ja know for me if you know at the end of the day if... Why, why haven't they really stepped in and said, suggested that anyone played in the North you play for the North and anyone pla... born in the South you play in the South. At the end of the day, maybe you have to ask the players, who have actually gone and played for the Republic why they have chosen the Republic ahead of Northern Ireland. Maybe it's time that they answered a few questions, maybe it's time that you know, someone sat them down and said right listen, wha... why.. whats'... why... what are the reasons behind, you know, you want to go and play for the Republic? And and maybe getting the answers then. Then maybe if you get them sort of answers then you can come out and deal with it. But at the minute FIFA are hiding behind and I think FIFA should be you know, should come out and be a lot more stronger about it.

Now after transcribing all of that I have learned a few things:
1. I never want to hear Jim Magilton's voice again.
2. I will never make it as a stenographer.
3. Listening to it so often has made it lose it's meaning as he really didn't say an awful lot in the end.
4. The ignorance re eligibility is only being highlighted by the IFA and their allies and the FAI really need to start underlining this fact and start standing up for the Irishmen and I'm sure women that have decided that their allegiance lies with their national team.
5. Trap didn't say at all what Stephen Watson alluded to. I will now transcribe that...

PS. Adam I'm sorry I don't have a link. I did what I could.

[BonnieShels]

Comments made on BBC NI coverage after the Ireland v Northern Ireland Nations' Cup game by Giovanni Trapattoni:


Stephen Watson: One of the big talking points... controversial talking points in the build up to this game has been the perceived poaching of Northern Ireland's players by the Republic of Ireland, as the headcoach wha... what are your thoughts on that subject?

Giovanni Trapattoni: That is no... that is no... that is no... our problem because I understand also our... our colleague... aya our... the other players, but the reason is we let them (de)cide. Dera dera dem... UEFA... de de de the rules I think is better if federation, the FIFA can clarify these rules, after we can no ask the player. The play... the family, the players decide if they want play with Ireland or the other country. For us its not a big problem.

Found it very funny how they didn't ask Worthy what his thoughts were.

[Sullivinho]

Found it very funny how they didn't ask Worthy what his thoughts were.

Earlier in the day he was still banging on about players strictly representing the countries they were born in. I guess that's the equivalent of shooting yourself in the foot but having nerve damage in said foot so the injury goes unnoticed.

His address reached an epic climax with the totally pro-freedom declaration that the gate needs to be 'firmly shut' on players who want to switch associations. Honestly, the only thing lacking was the College Green and 60,000 spectators his speech truly deserved.

[BonnieShels]

Earlier in the day he was still banging on about players strictly representing the countries they were born in. I guess that's the equivalent of shooting yourself in the foot but having nerve damage in said foot so the injury goes unnoticed.

His address reached an epic climax with the totally pro-freedom declaration that the gate needs to be 'firmly shut' on players who want to switch associations. Honestly, the only thing lacking was the College Green and 60,000 spectators his speech truly deserved.

I figured that was why however I also thought that maybe they did ask him and they decided to edit it out as it sounded awfully like the crap he's been spouting for the last few days.

Oddly, what Trap said makes more sense than what Magilton said.

I also reckon that maybe outside the Guild Hall in Derry might be the most appropriate venue for Nigel's presidential-style address.

[TrapAPony]

Listen to Niall McGinn at 1.18. Almost brings a tear to my eye :) :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cn8bkvgVTCE&feature=player_embedded

[Sullivinho]

Listen to Niall McGinn at 1.18. Almost brings a tear to my eye :) :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cn8bkvgVTCE&feature=player_embedded

"Obviously I'm a Republic of Ireland fan so obviously it was good to play against them"

Even the players who stick with them have Ireland's interests at heart. OK, I think I've officially reached the point where I start feeling sorry for them. It was a long road but here I am.

[mypost]

Earlier in the day he was still banging on about players strictly representing the countries they were born in.

As long as they were born in Northern Ireland of course. It's not our fault he doesn't like the rules, so he can live with it or quit.

He lost 5-0 to a nation's reserve team. That is the main issue he should be focusing on.

[ifk101]

Not very honest by Niall McGinn when he says the only positive he can take from the game is that he got Robbie Keane's shirt.

What about the result Niall? We won! :)

[Not Brazil]

The main story on last night's UTV Live News programme was about the boycott.

We had close to 10 minutes on that, and the eligibility issue.

According to the UTV Reporter, the IFA have tried several times to have the FIFA rules CHANGED.

Either this is just **** poor reporting, or it's a blatant lie.

The IFA fought with FIFA to have their rules UPHELD.

The IFA got what they wanted.

[Lionel Ritchie]

wasn't that Caleb Folan wandering by while Niall McGinn was gushing about playing against his heroes? thought he'd dropped out.

[ifk101]

That was Darren Randolph. :)

[BonnieShels]

The main story on last night's UTV Live News programme was about the boycott.

We had close to 10 minutes on that, and the eligibility issue.

According to the UTV Reporter, the IFA have tried several times to have the FIFA rules CHANGED.

Either this is just **** poor reporting, or it's a blatant lie.

The IFA fought with FIFA to have their rules UPHELD.

The IFA got what they wanted.

And that's exactly it NB.
The eligibility issue is becoming a bigger issue than it oughta be. It seems that though with Ye being absolutely atrociously bad if late that its being pushed by someone (Worthy/IFA maybe?),
in order to justify the astonishingly awful nature of the performances of late.

In fact it says it all about the quality of your qualifying group that despite how we've played you could conceivably end up in the play-offs. And that will no doubt save Nigel's skin unfortunately.

[awec]

And that's exactly it NB.
The eligibility issue is becoming a bigger issue than it oughta be. It seems that though with Ye being absolutely atrociously bad if late that its being pushed by someone (Worthy/IFA maybe?),
in order to justify the astonishingly awful nature of the performances of late.

In fact it says it all about the quality of your qualifying group that despite how we've played you could conceivably end up in the play-offs. And that will no doubt save Nigel's skin unfortunately.

It's become a bigger issue because there are so many people who don't understand what the actual issue is!

There are people that think FIFA have given special dispensation for the FAI to select NI born players. Seriously.

[BonnieShels]

It's become a bigger issue because there are so many people who don't understand what the actual issue is!

There are people that think FIFA have given special dispensation for the FAI to select NI born players. Seriously.

Whatever about the people, there are people employed by the IFA and BBC who think that too... read the transcripts above of Stephen Watson's questions. Terrible.

[Not Brazil]

It's become a bigger issue because there are so many people who don't understand what the actual issue is!

There are people that think FIFA have given special dispensation for the FAI to select NI born players. Seriously.

Here's the truth that dare not be spoken in certain quarters.

The IFA, Northern Ireland fans, Stephen Watson, Jim Magilton or whoever are never going to stop Citizens of the Republic Of Ireland playing for the Republic Of Ireland.

By some still trying to stop this, I would argue that it will have the effect of more and more players deciding to throw their lot in with the FAI - ie. it is counterproductive.

It goes against the very grain of "Football For All".

If a player wants to play for the Republic of Ireland, let him.

If the IFA spent more time focusing on players who want to play for Northern Ireland, they might be in a better place.

They might actually want to look at why a player wants to play for the Republic of Ireland - I understand some funded research is being undertaken by the IFA in this regard.

I could save them a lot of time and money - it's because those players feel more of an affinity with the Republic of Ireland, than they do with Northern Ireland. Nothing complicated or sinister about that.

Changing Anthems, Flags etc is a red herring.

I see some Northern Ireland fans are giving Niall McGinn a bit of stick about stating he is a Republic Of Ireland supporter - big deal. Is it such a shock that a Nationalist supports the Republic Of Ireland??

At least Niall turned up to play - more than can be said of some of our Northern Ireland supporting players.

If Niall puts in 100% in a Northern Ireland shirt, I couldn't care less who he supports.

Where Niall, and any other player, says their prayers, or puts their X on a ballot paper is their business - nobody elses.

How they perform in a Northern Ireland shirt is the business of Northern Ireland supporters.

The issue of players using the IFA, before jumping ship to the FAI is a different discussion, but some Northern Ireland fans need to get it into their thran heads that the players who don't want to play for Northern Ireland aren't ever going to be forced to play for Northern Ireland.

Focus on those who do.

[The Fly]

Good post NB.

[DannyInvincible]

There was a few minutes discussion about the eligibility issue on last night's MNS (approx. 10 minutes in).

http://www.rte.ie/player/#v=1099059

Short interviews with Michael O'Neill, Tony Kane and Daniel Kearns.

Just getting the opportunity to watch this now so I'll give a brief overview on my thoughts. Nothing really new added to the debate, mind. Con Murphy opens the issue by telling of the "growing number of players switching allegiance from north to south" and Eamonn Donohue, narrating over footage of Kernaghan and Crossley, tells of a "stark increase" in the number switching after putting aside their IFA caps. Although there is misleading later talk of floodgates opening and such, the latter is somewhat closer to reality in that not all players from the north to ever declare for the FAI have necessarily been capped at any level by the IFA, but then Alan Kernaghan never played for the IFA at any level either. And it being "all thanks to 1998's Good Friday Agreement" isn't at all true either. Surely after name-checking Kernaghan and Crossley, someone in RTÉ's research department would have noticed they played for us before 1998.

Kearns' chronology of events is enlightening as he appears to be suggesting that he went to the effort of getting his eligibility for u cleared up and clarified before receiving his phone-call from Sean McCaffrey.

Micahel O'Neill speaks of limiting the number of times a player eligible for two associations may change his allegiance throughout his career, but this is already limited to one switch anyway by the existing rules. Another "solution" suggested is the introduction of an upper age cap by which a player's allegiance ought to be decided if already capped by an association. This is often suggested, and, to be honest, I wouldn't take major issue with it if FIFA were to re-introduce it, but that's the thing; they scrapped the age limit from their statutes a few years ago after lobbying from the north African Francophone bloc of associations and it's highly unlikely they'd go back on that or introduce a one-off rule specific to the Irish situation. There's be no indication that they'd consider it. But I guess the IFA are more than free to campaign for this if they wish.

The "stealing" accusation is also rightly refuted and it's pointed out that the choice is fundamentally at the hands of the player. If the FAI were to agree to a "gentleman's agreement" whereby an age cap is introduced, they would still be potentially limiting the choice of a northern-born player to switch to us otherwise permitted by FIFA's current rules. John McDonnell also mentions having had English-born Johnny Gorman, now a full NI international, in his team when he was an under-age manager with the FAI, which I think shows the IFA up as being hypocritical.

[awec]

Here's the truth that dare not be spoken in certain quarters.

The IFA, Northern Ireland fans, Stephen Watson, Jim Magilton or whoever are never going to stop Citizens of the Republic Of Ireland playing for the Republic Of Ireland.

By some still trying to stop this, I would argue that it will have the effect of more and more players deciding to throw their lot in with the FAI - ie. it is counterproductive.

It goes against the very grain of "Football For All".

If a player wants to play for the Republic of Ireland, let him.

If the IFA spent more time focusing on players who want to play for Northern Ireland, they might be in a better place.

They might actually want to look at why a player wants to play for the Republic of Ireland - I understand some funded research is being undertaken by the IFA in this regard.

I could save them a lot of time and money - it's because those players feel more of an affinity with the Republic of Ireland, than they do with Northern Ireland. Nothing complicated or sinister about that.

Changing Anthems, Flags etc is a red herring.

I see some Northern Ireland fans are giving Niall McGinn a bit of stick about stating he is a Republic Of Ireland supporter - big deal. Is it such a shock that a Nationalist supports the Republic Of Ireland??

At least Niall turned up to play - more than can be said of some of our Northern Ireland supporting players.

If Niall puts in 100% in a Northern Ireland shirt, I couldn't care less who he supports.

Where Niall, and any other player, says their prayers, or puts their X on a ballot paper is their business - nobody elses.

How they perform in a Northern Ireland shirt is the business of Northern Ireland supporters.

The issue of players using the IFA, before jumping ship to the FAI is a different discussion, but some Northern Ireland fans need to get it into their thran heads that the players who don't want to play for Northern Ireland aren't ever going to be forced to play for Northern Ireland.

Focus on those who do.

I agree with everything you say. Spot on NB.

[BonnieShels]

I see some Northern Ireland fans are giving Niall McGinn a bit of stick about stating he is a Republic Of Ireland supporter - big deal. Is it such a shock that a Nationalist supports the Republic Of Ireland??

At least Niall turned up to play - more than can be said of some of our Northern Ireland supporting players.

If Niall puts in 100% in a Northern Ireland shirt, I couldn't care less who he supports.



And a lot more than can be said of some of our so-called players.

[awec]

And a lot more than can be said of some of our so-called players.
You guys think you have it bad? You should see our lot whenever a friendly is announced, they drop like flies. I think glandular fever has been used as an excuse recently, the player in question of course turned out for his club only 4 days later. He should market whatever medication he was on.

[DannyInvincible]

Comments made on BBC NI coverage after the Ireland v Northern Ireland Nations' Cup game by Jim Magilton:



Now after transcribing all of that I have learned a few things:
1. I never want to hear Jim Magilton's voice again.
2. I will never make it as a stenographer.
3. Listening to it so often has made it lose it's meaning as he really didn't say an awful lot in the end.
4. The ignorance re eligibility is only being highlighted by the IFA and their allies and the FAI really need to start underlining this fact and start standing up for the Irishmen and I'm sure women that have decided that their allegiance lies with their national team.
5. Trap didn't say at all what Stephen Watson alluded to. I will now transcribe that...

PS. Adam I'm sorry I don't have a link. I did what I could.

For anyone interested (and UK-based), the highlights and this discussion are available on BBC's iPlayer: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b011kvqf/Nations_Cup_Football_24_05_2011/

I'm only getting the chance to watch it now so I'm guessing the discussion comes up late on in the programme.

Meanwhile, there's this video where Andy Donlon of Bohs' TV1 "puts the question to the fans of both Northern and the Republic of Ireland on players born in the North declaring for the South" for ExtraTime.ie:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9eUqQY3ukc&feature=youtu.be

Some of the comments are quite bizarre and warped, but I suppose it gives an insight into the level of confusion that unfortunately exists around the issue. A friend of mine suggested that the video makes the NI fans sound like fascists and our fans sound like hippies; dare I say he wouldn't be far wrong? An Orange Order flag even makes a surprise appearance at 2:51.* One NI fan, who's of the belief that Darron Gibson is from Belfast, is claiming that Shay Given was actually born in the north but his birth certificate says he was born in the south. Did the FAI have it doctored for him? :confused:

Anyway, as Bonnie suggests, maybe it would be a good idea for the FAI to defend themselves against the accusations levelled and make a public statement outlining the facts and clearing up the issues once and for all. Or would that give credibility to the accusations? It's all well and good clearing matters up on here, but widespread confusion clearly still prevails within the wider public, both north and south.

P.S. How did that chap in the background at 1:43 make it into the NI fan section with his Ireland top? Wasn't there a strict policy of segregation in place?

*Not excusing the daft and out-of-place Vatican flag draped across the back of one of our supporters at 2:25, but is it so much of an issue within our support? Unsure myself; just putting that out there.