Eligibility proposal

[paul_oshea]

looks like i was right, FIFA allow either side to play for either country, sense prevails. I always knew I was very sensible:

http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2007/1106/fifa.html


FHTB good luck to your NI career :)


Originally posted by paul_oshea: I think a compromise should be reached. Taking into account the Derry situation.

Anybody born on the 32 County Island of Ireland can play for either Northern Ireland or the Republic Of Ireland, with either a British Passport or an Irish Passport. Therefore the likes of fbtn or whatever he is called can play for Northern Ireland like he so wishes. I think this is the fairest compromise of all. Who agrees?
__________________
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[shakermaker1982]

interesting move and I hope it is accepted by both parties. If only O'Shea hadn't been capped yet - the north could have snapped him up!!! :)

[Ireland4ever]

There always gonna come up with a solution like that, there was no way that they would dare over-rule the good fri agreement and prevent players from the north playing for the republic...

[micls]

Bad title choice. Clearly not finalised yet.

A compromise anyway. WHat ye think of it Ealing Green, Not Brazil etc.

[paul_oshea]

Well maybe so now, typical told ye so attitude Ireland4ever but when i asked who agreed I GOT 0 replies. SO obviouslly no one else thought it.

agreed on finalised, though it has been put forward by fifa, im sure there will be more of a dispute.

[kingdom hoop]

:) Nice one. As our resident sage (I don't mean in the herb sense) Paulo Shea says it seems like the most logical option.

FIFA have still kept the door open though by inviting further submissions - very democratic altogether aren't they. I wonder how vociferous the IFA will be given, presumably, a defection from north to south is much more likely. I'm also wondering if there is much precedence of the FIFA executive committee overruling the legal committee given that the legal committee should seemingly be the more expert. Finally in my series of wonderings I wonder what I'll have for dinner....hmmm, chicken burritos perhaps, I'll let y'all know if I come up with anything special.

[youngirish]

Well maybe so now, typical told ye so attitude Ireland4ever but when i asked who agreed I GOT 0 replies. SO obviouslly no one else thought it.

agreed on finalised, though it has been by fifa, im sure there will be more of a dispute.

No matter how much the likes of EG tried to convince us otherwise Fifa were never in the real world likely to ignore the political situation on this island when making their ruling. It's a far too sensitive and complicated quagmire that they were never going to allow themselves to be dragged into.

Unfortunately for NI fans though the latest FIFA offering is a pretty poor consolation prize as far as the IFA is concerned anyway as I can't see them gaining too many footballers from the south (whether they are good enough for us or not).

My next question is can foreign born nationals whose parents or grandparents hold ROI citzenship now declare for NI instead? If this is the case they could pick up a few Clinton Morrisons, Kevin Kilbanes etc.

[kingdom hoop]

Paul, why does this seem like an exercise in showing people you might have got something right? Just wondering, feeling a bit unsure of yourself today maybe? :p

[shaneker]

Sanity prevails. I can see why the IFA would be annoyed with this as you would think that more players will be coming our way than vice versa but I can see them accepting this. They're surely just as sick of the whole thing as we are!

At the end of the day this is the fairest thing to do, really hope its done and dusted.

[paul_oshea]

Paul, why does this seem like an exercise in showing people you might have got something right? Just wondering, feeling a bit unsure of yourself today maybe?

NO, but I always have the most logical answers, yet I am the last to get listened too :o and I don't just mean on this forum either!!!:D heres just one off the top of my head hoop, we were doing a quiz last week and one person proposed using our joker on film and tv, i said no way cos it was our worst result last year when we did it and we were missing the member of the team who answered 4 out of the 5 questions that time round, but no one listened and they went ahead and did it anyhow! Even though i suggested sport or music which we got 8 and 9 out of and subsequently ended up not winning!! :mad:


YI, I like your point, if they have they realise this they could certainly capitalise on it.

[geysir]

I heard you then Paul but I thought you were in the cuckoo's nest.
Then so could this compromise be also.
But at least you are in touch with the thinking of the great minds at FIFA.

With hindsight on Sept. 9 some hint was mentioned in an ET article
At the heart of Fifa’s investigation are believed to be concerns that the existing situation is unfair on the IFA and Northern Ireland. As things stand, players born in Northern Ireland, such as Gibson, are entitled to play for the Republic, a right confirmed by the Good Friday Agreement. Fifa are believed to be asking this: if players born in the north are entitled to play for the Republic, surely those born in the Republic are entitled to play for the North?

[kingdom hoop]

My next question is can foreign born nationals whose parents or grandparents hold ROI citzenship now declare for NI instead? If this is the case they could pick up a few Clinton Morrisons, Kevin Kilbanes etc.

Good question. It'll hinge on the finalised wording FIFA come up with; whether place of birth alone is the judgment criteria or if it is citizenship. It would seem better (as in there would be less 'nation shopping') to limit it to people born on the island who would have the choice. I'd imagine though that in-keeping with the general rules if parents/grandparents are born on the island then the offspring will have the choice. Tricky one.

[geysir]

As it stands now, for footballers born abroad the annex criteria applies.
I can't imagine that that would change.

Otherwise we would suddenly be an option for Channel Islanders

[eelmonster]

Delighted to hear common sense has prevailed. Henry McDonald in the Observer on Sunday and his IFA insiders guessed wrong:

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/world/story/0,,2205029,00.html


Footballers from Northern Ireland do not have the right to play for the Republic of Ireland, despite the Good Friday Agreement.The Observer has learnt that Fifa - soccer's international ruling body - will not change its internal rules in order to allow players to choose which nation to represent. At a meeting with the Belfast-based Irish Football Association (IFA) last month, Fifa said it would prevent the southern Football Association of Ireland (FAI) from offering places to young northerners in the southern national squad.


Fifa was forced to act after the IFA made a complaint alleging that the Dublin-based football association was poaching young players from nationalist parts of Northern Ireland. 'A fortnight ago Fifa told the IFA that the FAI had to comply by the end of the month to the ruling or else it would be taken up by the world body's executive committee. Basically the IFA won but the [IFA] doesn't want to say so because it is loath to cause a cross-border row with their southern counterparts,' one of the sources told The Observer.'Nationalists, including the Irish Foreign Minister, have argued that under the Belfast Agreement you have the right to be either Irish or British and because of that young players from nationalist backgrounds have a right to choose between Northern Ireland or the Republic.
'The IFA's legal team pointed out that Fifa is a private organisation with its own rules and can't therefore be dictated to by a political treaty like the Belfast Agreement. Fifa agreed with this analysis - the Belfast Agreement has nothing do with Fifa's rules,' the source added.
He pointed out that during discussions in Zurich two weeks ago, Fifa raised the issue of its internal Circular 901, a ruling which barred three Brazilian stars from turning out for the Gulf State of Qatar in 2004. 'Circular 901 was basically the precedent case that bolstered the IFA's challenge,' the source said.
All three football associations refused this weekend to confirm that Fifa had made a ruling favourable to the IFA. A Fifa spokesman said: 'We are waiting on feedback from Fifa's own legal representatives.'
Northern Ireland supporters, however, have welcomed news that Fifa is about to plug the leakage of some young players into the Republic's football squad. According to highly placed sources, football's world governing body also agreed that Irish Republic passport holders who are otherwise entitled to play for the northern team could now turn out for Northern Ireland and would be issued with a special Fifa certificate at the team's away games. It is understood this initiative was proposed by the IFA, which under its Chief Executive, Howard Wells wanted to remove the rule that only British passport holders could play for Northern Ireland.
Gary McAllister, the secretary of the Amalgamated Northern Ireland Supporters Club, said fans would support moves to allow Irish passport-holders to play for the northern team.
'It's very encouraging that Fifa is going to rule that players can't be poached or defect from Northern Ireland to the Republic of Ireland. Fans will also be pleased that the IFA has sought to solve the passports issue.
'Most fair-minded supporters are just glad that young lads are wearing the green jersey of Northern Ireland, they don't really care what passport that player holds,' he said.
But former Mayor of Derry and SDLP Assembly member Pat Ramsey vowed yesterday to raise the issue again with the Irish Foreign Minister. Ramsey has fought for the right of young players based in Derry to play for the Republic rather than Northern Ireland.
'How is it right that a guy with Irish parents who lives in Birmingham, Boston or Budapest could play for the Republic of Ireland yet someone who lives just up the road in Derry or Newry can't? I will be asking Dermot Ahern to take up this issue again with Fifa and to defend the right of young nationalists to play for the Republic just as I would defend the right of anyone who wanted to play for Northern Ireland,' he said.
Picking sides
Darron Gibson: A Derry-born player who played for Northern Ireland at schoolboy level. After joining Manchester United Gibson switched to the Republic of Ireland. Now on loan to Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers, Gibson is in the Republic's Under-21 squad. The expected Fifa ruling does not apply retrospectively so he will remain a player for the Republic.
Alex Bruce: The son of Manchester United's former captain and current Birmingham City manager Steve Bruce could have qualified to play for Northern Ireland because his grandparents were born in Bangor, Co Down. Bruce Junior received three invitations to play for Northern Ireland at Under-21 level but instead chose the Republic. His decision in 2006 provoked a clash between the North's then manager Lawrie Sanchez and the FAI.
Alan Kernaghan: Although born in Yorkshire the central defender was eligible to play for Northern Ireland because his parents came from there. But he chose to play for the Republic and earned 26 caps under Jack Charlton including games at the 1994 World Cup in the United States. Kernaghan was the subject of prolonged booing and jeering at Windsor Park in Belfast during a tense World Cup qualifier between the Republic and Northern Ireland which ended in a 1-1 draw and the southern team qualifying for the finals.

[Lionel Ritchie]

Not the outcome I foresaw but I'll take that. :)

Though I'll qualify it's not's an outcome. I think the term "finalised" in this thread title is quite misleading (you crude, rudderless tabloid hack Paul;) ) I'm guessing my northern counterparts won't see this as fair as they'll point out -with some justification -that it'll likely be close to all one way traffic.

But it might open up the possibility of them getting access to some of the lads frequently looked down upon and referred to as "Plastic Paddies" over on their patch ...and good luck to them.

That Harry Clarke article is rank by the way. How a journo could get his facts so utterly wrong (Kernaghan) in this day and age is jaw dropping.

[Maroon 7]

Hopefully this can be put to bed anyway. Everybody is pure sick of it. It was always the most sensible outcome although I'm not sure if the IFA will be too happy about it as how likely is it they'll be able to attract any players from south of the border? Not very I imagine. Even then I don't think every nationalist will be knocking frantically on the FAI's door but at least they should have the choice available to them.

It does show though that FIFA are very clued up as regards the real politik on the ground on our island.

[geysir]

That Harry Clarke article is rank by the way. How a journo could get his facts so utterly wrong (Kernaghan) in this day and age is jaw dropping.
Jawdropping !
Harry Clarke? Ahem Ahem

try
Henry McDonald :)

[paul_oshea]

Has anyone thought a little deeper about this "compromise"? i certainly do...

[geysir]

Do what?

[Lionel Ritchie]

Jawdropping !
Harry Clarke? Ahem Ahem

try
Henry McDonald :)

Sorry Geysir. :o Thought Harry Clarke sounded odd.

Just grabbed the name from the previous poster which at least shows I'm no worse at copying and pasting freely accessable info than this particular professional correspondent.

[eelmonster]

Sorry Geysir. :o Thought Harry Clarke sounded odd.

Just grabbed the name from the previous poster which at least shows I'm no worse at copying and pasting freely accessable info than this particular professional correspondent.

Sorry Lionel, I must have been blinded the light shining through one of Harry's windows.

[liaml]

If this is true it is fantastic news. If the IFA agree to this it'll be the first sign they're actually serious about sweeping away the baggage of the past and setting themselves up as an inclusive organisation that represents both traditions in the North. Heck - I may actually catch a game or two at the Maze.

-Liam

[elroy]

If this is true it is fantastic news. If the IFA agree to this it'll be the first sign they're actually serious about sweeping away the baggage of the past and setting themselves up as an inclusive organisation that represents both traditions in the North. Heck - I may actually catch a game or two at the Maze.

-Liam

This is bad news for them in fairness, very unlikely anyone from the south would declare to play for the north whereas there is a good chance that there will be more footballers like Gibson in the future who will elect for ROI. Fair rulling and from a ROI perspective very much welcomed.

[paul_oshea]

Geysir, 2 united ireland teams.

FIFA dont want to make a change to their rules as it opens a can of worms. By this agreement they are keeping every as is.

I would say there was influence from somewhere on this, its essentially the allusion of an all-ireland team in the future. Think about it.

[micls]

If it is agreed on it kinda brings the question 'What's the point of 2 teams' to the fore. Without having different pools of players to choose from what makes the teams different?

[NeilMcD]

Geysir, 2 united ireland teams. There was definitely influence from somewhere on this, its essentially the allusion of an all-ireland team in the future. Think about it.

Is there going to be one player that is born in the Republic and wants to play for the North.

[micls]

Is there going to be one player that is born in the Republic and wants to play for the North.

Probably not but there'l be plenty who consider it if theyre not good enough for the Republic and are wanted by NI

[paul_oshea]

Jawdropping !
Harry Clarke? Ahem Ahem

try
Henry McDonald :)


Probably not but there'l be plenty who consider it if theyre not good enough for the Republic and are wanted by NI

exactly.

Then what happens? go on go another step....

[backstothewall]

Has anyone thought a little deeper about this "compromise"? i certainly do...

I have, have to say i think its a great step forward

1 - It will make the dynamics of an all-ireland side a lot easier

2 - It make NI an Ireland B side for lower league players who couldn't make it for the 1st team. The likes of Lee Trundle and Paul Heffernan might find their way into NI squads, and no great loss

3 - It means we are effectively no longer ROI, but "Ireland"

4 - It opens the way to the FAI playing some home games in Belfast

5 - As there will be a choice for every underage player on his 21st birthday, there is little point in having 2 U16, U18 or U21 setups. The finances will mean they could well be merged.

[co. down green]

Was getting whispers about this over a week ago, but thought it was best to say nothing until FIFA commented.

The FAI statement this evening said:

"We are pleased that Fifa has once again upheld the principle that players born in Northern Ireland should be free to choose whether they wish to play for the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland," said an FAI statement.

Its basically the same as the letter from FIFA in October 06.

Sensible ruling from FIFA.

Looking forward to travelling to Cardiff with my fellow countrymen next weekend :)

[NeilMcD]

I have, have to say i think its a great step forward

1 - It will make the dynamics of an all-ireland side a lot easier

2 - It make NI an Ireland B side for lower league players who couldn't make it for the 1st team. The likes of Lee Trundle and Paul Heffernan might find their way into NI squads, and no great loss

3 - It means we are effectively no longer ROI, but "Ireland"

4 - It opens the way to the FAI playing some home games in Belfast

5 - As there will be a choice for every underage player on his 21st birthday, there is little point in having 2 U16, U18 or U21 setups. The finances will mean they could well be merged.


Sorry but this changes nothing really, and I think your post is deeply offensive to any of the Northern Irish fans as well as being ignorant. What about guys who are top class and they want to play for Northern Ireland, how does that make it a B Team. It is still Northern Ireland at teh end of the day.

[geysir]

Geysir, 2 united ireland teams.
Yes indeed, united Ireland teams.
Ireland A and Ireland B :)

[Superhoops]

Was getting whispers about this over a week ago, but thought it was best to say nothing until FIFA commented.

The FAI statement this evening said:

"We are pleased that Fifa has once again upheld the principle that players born in Northern Ireland should be free to choose whether they wish to play for the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland," said an FAI statement.

Its basically the same as the letter from FIFA in October 06.

Sensible ruling from FIFA.

Looking forward to travelling to Cardiff with my fellow countrymen next weekend :)
The FAI statement this evening also said:
The FAI will now meet with its legal advisors to review in detail the proposals contained in the FIFA letter before formulating a response.

This makes it sound like while the principle is agreed, the application of it has strings attached and is not that straightforward.

If it was straightforward why would the FAI need to be meet its legal advisors before responding. Sounds like they may be considering challenging the application of the ruling in the European Court of Human Rights.

[geysir]

Why not get legal advice?
FIFA are sticking to article 15, the Annex conditions do not apply.
There is a question because Irish passport holders are not citizens of NI (if there is such a thing) so how can they play for NI according to article 15 ?
There is a legal question.
What FIFA are saying is that under FIFA's rules that 2 associations can make an agreement and FIFA rubberstamp it and add it in to the Articles as an addendum.

FIFA have signed up to the Court of Arbitration in Sport so any disputes end up there.

[charliesboots]

It seems a bit bizarre to me that a guy born in England, with English parent, three English grandparents and one grandparent born in Cork say may now qualify to play for Northern Ireland.

Anybody else find that strange?

I mean surely nationality should have an element of identity to it. A lot of people born and living in the north identify themselves as Irish rather than Northern Irish. How many people born and living in the south identify themselves as Northern Irish?

[gspain]

Good news for us but clearly bad news for NI. I can't see the IFA agreeing.

This one could run and run.

[charliesboots]

Why not get legal advice?
FIFA are sticking to article 15, the Annex conditions do not apply.
There is a question because Irish passport holders are not citizens of NI (if there is such a thing) so how can they play for NI according to article 15 ?
There is a legal question.
What FIFA are saying is that under FIFA's rules that 2 associations can make an agreement and FIFA rubberstamp it and add it in to the Articles as an addendum.

FIFA have signed up to the Court of Arbitration in Sport so any disputes end up there.

Spot on Geysir, I was thinking that myself.

[backstothewall]

Sorry but this changes nothing really, and I think your post is deeply offensive to any of the Northern Irish fans as well as being ignorant. What about guys who are top class and they want to play for Northern Ireland, how does that make it a B Team. It is still Northern Ireland at teh end of the day.

The reason they are a B team is because they have been consistently performing below ROI since 1987, recent times excluded, and that was with us at our lowest ebb, and NI flying

And who are these top class players?? Of the NI side the only player i would start in an all ireland 11 is George McCartney, and Healy would make the bench. (although the way Robbie is playing)

All this at out lowest ebb

They are a no mark team, who have achieved little or nothing of note since Pat Jennings picked the 3rd out on his 41st birthday. It was only a few years ago i heard Alan Greene, who is from Belfast (even if he is an arse), include them with Andorra, Malta and San Marino as countries he didn't think should even be allowed to play qualifiers for major tournaments.

If the FAI market this decision right NI can be marginalized and middle class unionists can be enticed to Croke Park to see Ireland play Brazil. They already flock down to the 6 nations

If the FAI want to play this right, The should always now refer to themselves as Ireland, adopt Irelands call as the anthem, announce plans to play in Belfast at some point, and appoint a northerner as new manager.

To quote a movie...


We must act as if the Republic is a fact. We defeat the British Empire by ignoring it.

And for the record i'm not really worried about offending the IFA or their fans. They have attempted to deny me my birth right. I don't see what could be considered offensive though. It is only a mater of time before a talented Protestant Irishman from the north declares for the FAI because he gets a greater chance to play on the greatest stage of all. And once one does dozens more will follow.

the biggest obstacle to this is the hangers on who don't want the gravy being split more ways

[NeilMcD]

It seems a bit bizarre to me that a guy born in England, with English parent, three English grandparents and one grandparent born in Cork say may now qualify to play for Northern Ireland.

Anybody else find that strange?

I mean surely nationality should have an element of identity to it. A lot of people born and living in the north identify themselves as Irish rather than Northern Irish. How many people born and living in the south identify themselves as Northern Irish?

I think bascially they are saying because people in the north feel like they want to play for the Republic that it cant just be a one way street. We have taken advantage or disadvantage of a situation like the one you say above with Alan Kernaghan.

[Lionel Ritchie]

Sorry Lionel, I must have been blinded the light shining through one of Harry's windows.

Oh I didn't mean you eelmonster! I meant Henry or Harry or Horace or whatever your man from the paper is called. He had his basic facts wrong about the Kernaghan case and it read like he was trying to construct, by omission of fact, a picture wherein Kernaghan walked out on or turned his back on Northern Ireland for us. Couldn't be further from the truth.

The IFA turned Kernaghan away because he was born in England to England/Britain/ non-NI born parents of Ulster folk. His parents then brought him to live in NI when he was only four or five and there he remained until he became a professional footballer and actually played for NI schoolboys.

Then he found out the IFA weren't going to pick him because they were party to a daft, stupid, hair-brained "home countries" deal which was concocted entirely to maximise Englands available player pool to the detriment of NI, Scotland and Wales.

I have a degree of sympathy for the IFA when it comes to lads like Darron Gibson effectively "cuckooing" in their system but in Kernaghans case I have not so much as a morsel.

[geysir]

It seems a bit bizarre to me that a guy born in England, with English parent, three English grandparents and one grandparent born in Cork say may now qualify to play for Northern Ireland.

As far as I understand the proposal. The agreement is only for footballers born on the Island.
"Anybody born on the 32 County Island of Ireland can play for either Northern Ireland or the Republic Of Ireland"

Anybody who acquires Irish citizenship due to ancestory or residency can only play for the Republic.

[lopez]

It's all very quiet from Ealing Green and co. :eek: Maybe the news caught them too late on leaving the office.

Very promising! So much for the b*ll*x in the 6C rags.

I can never see FIFA disallowing Northerners playing for Ireland when the team is met by a President at nearly every home game, who comes from the O6C. The IFA obviously need something to save face. This is about as good as it gets.

If true, it gives the right to decide to the player. That's fine with me. It also for the very few of the minority of residents of the 26C who consider themselves British and are not of recent migrant stock, the right to represent a British team. Surely the boys on ourweeminds should be delighted with this?

Once cleared with the briefs, the FAI should agree to this move. The IFA can complain, but they could end up with Jack Sh*te from this if they do. Happy daze!!!!

[geysir]

According to wee mind revision of history we have decimated the British stock in the Republic and forced the remaining survivors into a Stepford state of constitutional submission.
But there may be a few NI fans left in Donegal.

[NeilMcD]

The reason they are a B team is because they have been consistently performing below ROI since 1987, recent times excluded, and that was with us at our lowest ebb, and NI flying

And who are these top class players?? Of the NI side the only player i would start in an all ireland 11 is George McCartney, and Healy would make the bench. (although the way Robbie is playing)

All this at out lowest ebb

They are a no mark team, who have achieved little or nothing of note since Pat Jennings picked the 3rd out on his 41st birthday. It was only a few years ago i heard Alan Greene, who is from Belfast (even if he is an arse), include them with Andorra, Malta and San Marino as countries he didn't think should even be allowed to play qualifiers for major tournaments.

If the FAI market this decision right NI can be marginalized and middle class unionists can be enticed to Croke Park to see Ireland play Brazil. They already flock down to the 6 nations

If the FAI want to play this right, The should always now refer to themselves as Ireland, adopt Irelands call as the anthem, announce plans to play in Belfast at some point, and appoint a northerner as new manager.

To quote a movie...



And for the record i'm not really worried about offending the IFA or their fans. They have attempted to deny me my birth right. I don't see what could be considered offensive though. It is only a mater of time before a talented Protestant Irishman from the north declares for the FAI because he gets a greater chance to play on the greatest stage of all. And once one does dozens more will follow.

the biggest obstacle to this is the hangers on who don't want the gravy being split more ways

They don't have any top class players at the moment but if There are people out there that believe in Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland team and they should be respected until democratically that changes.

I want the best manager for the Republic of Ireland not a protestant manager who will convince the middle class unionist to come down and support a so called united Ireland team. Your post is clearly delusional. Remember also that Northern Ireland are having a better campaign than us and have beaten England and Spain recently, who have we beaten.

[lopez]

According to wee mind revision of history we have decimated the British stock in the Republic and forced the remaining survivors into a Stepford state of constitutional submission.
But there may be a few NI fans left in Donegal.It's an argument ourweeminds will be insisting is sent to Zurich in the coming months no doubt. I'm sure that Donegal flag at NI matches is about their ancestral homelands, so cruely robbed by the forces of the antichrist in 1922. Like if you saw a Cypriot flag a couple of weeks ago with Famagusta on it. :rolleyes:

[shaneker]

I have, have to say i think its a great step forward

1 - It will make the dynamics of an all-ireland side a lot easier

2 - It make NI an Ireland B side for lower league players who couldn't make it for the 1st team. The likes of Lee Trundle and Paul Heffernan might find their way into NI squads, and no great loss

3 - It means we are effectively no longer ROI, but "Ireland"

4 - It opens the way to the FAI playing some home games in Belfast

5 - As there will be a choice for every underage player on his 21st birthday, there is little point in having 2 U16, U18 or U21 setups. The finances will mean they could well be merged.

I have to say I really disagree with what you are saying. This was about allowing Irish players to choose to play for the country of their birth and they identify with, not about trying to completely destroy the northerners team.

I'm 100% in favour of an all-Ireland side but until that day comes we have to respect their right to their own team and to administer it in their own way - it is not our place to suggest playing games in the territory of their association or to start labelling them as a 'B' team. We cannot ask them to respect our rights, then turn around and disrespect theirs. The fact is that a large number of people do identify with their team, just as a large number do with ours. As is stands, as long as our players and fans in the north have the right to choose, I believe their players and fans should have that right too. Hopefully one day things will be different.

[kingdomkerry]

A great day for the rights of our friends in the north and for irish soccer. I also believe this is a massive step towards an all ireland team!!!

[geysir]

http://www.irishfa.com/the-ifa/news/3481/player-eligibility/


PLAYER ELIGIBILITY
06/11/2007
The Irish FA can confirm that they have received a response from FIFA regarding the matter of player eligibility.

The contents of the letter appear to be at variance with the advice given to Irish FA Officials at a recent meeting in Zurich and further clarification will be sought within FIFA at the appropriate level.

It's tragic:)

They do not reveal the contents of the letter, I suppose it's something that they actually acknowledge receiving a letter this time :)

[Postman]

Sorry Geysir. :o Thought Harry Clarke sounded odd.

Just grabbed the name from the previous poster which at least shows I'm no worse at copying and pasting freely accessable info than this particular professional correspondent.

It might open a door for eircom league players who are overlooked at international level. If I was a top eircom league player I'd definitely consider lining out for NI, primarily to play against the world's best players but if it got me in the headlines and a subsequent big money move to England I wouldn't complain.

[tricky_colour]

Guess whose middle name is "Northern"?

(Hope thats not too cryptic).