Player eligibility row

[gspain]

So do I!
It was tongue-in-cheek.
Though a little odd.

Or just any chance for you to criticise Northern Ireland.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Ha ha.
There's nothing wrong with slagging them.
It's small, if not miniscule, beer compared to the flak and paranoid nonsense that some of their populace direct towards us!

[antrimgreen]

In a short answer, NO. Our pool is small enough as it is and an individual born in the six countries is rightly eligible to play for ROI. The real issue here is the defection after a number of years with NI.

Its hard to ignore the political issue here but if one thing supporting and following ROI around the world has taught me, its how many people from the north consider the ROI "their" team and have no affiliation with NI.

Yes technically the ROI represents the 26 counties but we are a relatively unique situation. Anyone born in the north is rightly imo entitled to a ROI passport and then should be entitled to represent the ROI if they so wish. Even if they do not have any direct relations born in ROI (e.g. the Gibson case).

I think the real issue here is the chopping and changing. The new rules are ridiculous imo and should at least revert to what was in place before. For example, I think a game at U21 level should tie a player to that country. This would lessen the likes of the Duffy incident to an extent.

If James McCarthy suddenly declared for Scotland, we would be very pi**ed off about the decision even though the lad would fully be within his rights, so I can understand that NI are aggrieved over the whole incident. However, the real issue here is not the eligibility and is the defection after a number of years spent coming through the ranks. I think it is NB to point out that difference.

No such thing as an ROI passport elroy, it's an Irish Passport and those born in the the 6 counties are every bit as Irish as those in the free state. It's a messy affair this but i think all players on the Island have the right to play for the team that represents their own nationality the most.

[Sullivinho]

A lot of noise is made about time, money, investment and whatnot (a bogus grievance given the time players spend within the youth systems of foreign clubs) but I think it's clear a lot of the northern acrimony stems from the fact that Irishmen within the territory are eager and willing to identify themselves exclusively as such. It must be very difficult and frustrating to express any sense of entitlement towards these players whilst simultaneously ignoring the history that brought about their current circumstances and why exactly their identity is represented by another flag and anthem.

I fully expect the CAS case to fall flat on it's face, and rightfully so. 'Counterproductive' won't begin to describe the effect that defeat will have.

[third policeman]

Johnny Giles
Johnny Carey
Johnny Gavin

Or Jonny Evans? Northern Irish are by definition Irish

[ArdeeBhoy]

Even though you see UJ's all round the place.....Hmm. Their definition is somewhat different.

[Predator]

And the IFA are continuing to make full use of the rules with Nigel Worthington’s selection & fielding of former Republic Of Ireland u16 international John Gorman in their friendly game against Turkey yesterday.

This is scandalous! Poaching, wait no, begging backstards! Abusing the system and so on.

[DannyInvincible]

Or Jonny Evans? Northern Irish are by definition Irish

Scotch-Irish, isn't it? :P

[Charlie Darwin]

Evans is a Welsh name, isn't it?

[TrapAPony]

Evans is a Welsh name, isn't it?

Ya, it's definitely Welsh.

[ArdeeBhoy]

To be 'fair' to them, the settlers in the North weren't just grumpy Presbyterians from Caledonia with an axe to grind....


And to answer Danny on the 'Scots-Irish', isn't it, 'Ulster-Scots' ??

Though you'd feel sorry that Ireland, Scotland or even England should be lumbered by any association.....

[punkrocket]

Scotch-Irish, isn't it?

Is that a blend or a malt?

[dantheman]

Is that a blend or a malt?

It's an identity crisis

[EalingGreen]

And the IFA are continuing to make full use of the rules with Nigel Worthington’s selection & fielding of former Republic Of Ireland u16 international John Gorman in their friendly game against Turkey yesterday.

(English-born) Gorman qualifies for NI on the basis that he has a grandparent from Coleraine. I do not know on what basis he formerly qualified for ROI.

Anyhow, all we ask is that the general principle whereby you may represent a Football Association outwith whose jurisdiction you were born only if you meet certain Eligibility Criteria (parent/grandparent/residence), be applied equally across all 208 Member Associations of FIFA.

[geysir]

Unfortunatly for you, there is no such general principle in the relevant FIFA articles of eligibility and the IFA are not part of that "we ask".
The IFA are not campaigning for the general principle of article 15 to be changed from "Any person holding a permanent nationality that is not dependent on residence" to players just born within the boundaries of an association.
They are asking for the current rules, as they are written, to be applied.