I just hope when this case comes up that the lads in the six counties who want to play for the "Republic" are given a fair voice as to the reasons why they are declaring for us - they are at least entitled to that. Only then can a balanced argument be made.
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I have a head only Snow White would love -
Waht exactly do CAS arbitrate on ? Is it that the rules have been correctly applied or is it that the rules applied are unfair ?
I see the IFA are argueing again that the rules be applied even though they would be better reading previous threads on this board.Comment
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Comedy gold!!!Interview with Patrick Nelson, IFA
Favourite quote in that video is; "we want Fifa to uphold their own statutes as we read them".Comment
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Many people in Spain, for instance, consider themselves to be Catalan or Basque etc, yet are defined as "Spaniards" by FIFA.
Similarly, Israeli Arabs may have an affinity to Palestine (or elsewhere). And don't even think about eg the Balkans, when it comes to what people "consider" themselves to be...
It likely* is unique, but only in that the Irish Republic automatically hands out citizenship at birth to people born outwith their jurisdiction - a politically irredentist policy which the FAI is exploiting for its own selfish ends.
* - Can't say for certain that one or two other countries operate something similar.
In other words, do it our way, or be done away with.
Oh the irony of people insisting that people like Darron Gibson should be allowed to choose to play for "their" country (ROI), in the same breath denying the right eg of his MU teammate Jonny Evans to play for his country (NI)...Comment
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How many of your 1,786 posts have been on this subject?
As for the 'FAI's selfish ends', give me a break, picking Irishmen to play for their country is selfish now? These players are making their own decisions, no one is holding a gun to their head.
As for Patrick Nelson's interview, words fail me, utterly deluded.Irish Football Blog - A False First XI - http://afalsefirstxi.blogspot.ie/
Twitter: @afalsefirstxi
To Follow on Facebook go to:https://www.facebook.com/afalsefirstxi/Comment
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Ealing, I might not choose those particular words but that sums it up succinctly. I'm of a purely utilitarian view on the matter and support the FAI in exploiting whatever avenue we have to acquire talent in whatever way FIFA will allow. I can perfectly understand the frustration and even ire of Northern Ireland fans, particularly surrounding the Duffy case, and indeed I'd feel the same if the situation were reversed but football is all about self interest.Comment
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As said to fans of the 'North' many times, just be grateful you even have a team. And why not select the people who actually want to play for them?? Or is that not enough 'control freakery'??
Eventually it will be a choice between an AI or AB team. What would prefer, besides an accident of history to date?Comment
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This comment is in reply to my earlier point, which was as follows.
Namely, the FAI originally sought a "Gentlemens' Agreement" with the IFA to stop the two Associations from picking players from each others jurusdiction.
Then the FAI unilaterally broke the Agreement, for no other reason than self-interest.
In my book, that is the definition of dishourable behaviour, and nothing* in your post can gainsay that.
* - None of the bluster, waffle, irrelevancy and utter rubbish with which you prefaced your original post merits even a cursory reply.
Respecting is one thing, liking/agreeing with/accepting without demur is quite something else.Comment
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Which is all well and grand. But we have to accept Illegal Colonization in the meantime (& denying the indigenous population to represent their country!), albeit a few good souls, but mainly people who've been holding both us (& Britain) economic hostage by being a drain on their net resources....Comment
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Thank you Paddy, it is refreshing to know there are still some people prepared to read an entire post.
Ealing, every ROI supporter feels your pain did you not see how we went out of the WC?? Football is unfair sometimes as is life, we just have to get on with it. Suggesting a change in how the Republic issues citizenship to people born on the island of Ireland is ridiculous as it is a major part of an agreement keeping the peace in what was once one of the worlds "Danger hotspots", to threaten that over 2 average football teams is stupid. The citizenship part of the agreement is there for a reason, a significant part of the population of NI wish to be Irish, not Northern Irish, not British not even Ulstermen. Irish plain and simple. Those people and their descendants will almost always want to represent "Ireland" not a British principality, have you any idea how difficult it would be for those people to even stand to attention for "God Save The Queen"? Let alone sing it!! This is why the Rugby team plays "Irelands Call" to accomodate the Ulstermen who don't want to sing Amhrán na bhFiann .
Catalonia has a team, they are managed by Johann Cruyff and the players can play for both Catalonia and Spain as FIFA don't recognise Catalonia, nor does the rest of the world.
Some of Spains greatest players have played for Catalonia but I don't think they would prefer to represent them over Spain.
Palestine also has a team and Israeli Arabs would certainly want to play for them ahead of Israel, any (unlikely) peace agreement between Israel and Palastine would undoubtedly at least discuss citizenship rights if not do exactly as the GFA and they would have the same rights as NI people have here.
I may be incorrect in saying we are unique in being able to pick players from NI and correct me if I am wrong but can't anyone with a British Passport play for any of the home nations? Am sure I read that somewhere.
In any case Ealing , I still believe we should follow the example set by the IRFU and form an Irish team. It would have an incredible effect on the future of our country.Help something bit me!!!Comment
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