Player eligibility row

[Gather round]

.....

[Predator]

The only credibility that matters, is that which lies with their own fanbase. Had the IFA accepted the second proposal, that credibility would have collapsed.

Had they accepted the proposal, Irish nationality would have permitted a player to represent the IFA - something which the CAS note that the IFA once tried (and failed) to argue in their favour.
Page 23:

79.The Panel noted that IFA also advanced an alternative argument that Mr Kearns had shared nationality because, as an Irish national (irrespective of his British
nationality), he could play for either IFA or FAI and Mr Hunter asserted that it had always been the case that the IFA could select Irish nationals with a territorial connection to Northern Ireland.

One might also boldly assert that in that case, the IFA and their fans would have truly had that 'shared' team that they so proudly claim represents them. Eligibility for which would have included either British or Irish nationality. Would that have been setting a precedent?

Nevertheless, the IFA probably felt that it would lead to the formation of "Ireland A" and "Ireland B", but as we know, that is but a conjecture. In theory (and in practice), it would have put the IFA at a clear advantage over the rest of FIFA's members - they would become the only member able to select players based on two nationalities, rather than one, if I'm not mistaken.

[ifk101]

The only credibility that matters, is that which lies with their own fanbase. Had the IFA accepted the second proposal, that credibility would have collapsed

How so? The IFA is the original association of the island. By turning down the proposal, they basically rejected the reason the IFA came into existence - ie to administer and govern football on the island of Ireland.

[Gather round]

Fair/unfair are the current buzz words of UK Political parties, e.g. every utterance on every topic made by the UK Liberal party is littered with Fair/Unfair...The landscape of our consciousness is being polluted with the meaningless repetitions of the concepts of what is fair and unfair and the political parties are not missing a trick, UK Labour party apparently are more fair and less unfair

Same with the Greens over here. We should really find something more imaginative.

Their credibility is non existant. Their existance is more in jeopardy to the forces calling for a GB team than anything related to an irish team.

Our existence isn't in jeopardy at all. Who are these 'forces' calling for a GB team, other than Seb Coe and a few stirrers on here?

How so? The IFA is the original association of the island. By turning down the proposal, they basically rejected the reason the IFA came into existence - ie to administer and govern football on the island of Ireland

Hardly. That original raison d'etre ceased to apply when the FAI was set up, or at least when the IFA stopped selecting players from the South.

[Charlie Darwin]

They are if they're not born in one of the 4 home nations.

Under the agreement the IFA rejected, they wouldn't have lost a single thing and would've gained the right to select players from ROI.

This has actually been closed. Maik Taylor wouldn't be eligible for the NI side as of 2008 had he not already been capped.

[Dodge]

Much ado about nothing, me thinks!

INcredible you think that considering the hyperbole used in this thread about other small scale stuff

[geysir]

Eh yeah - don't know where in my post I disagree with any of this (or what I did to deserve a socio-political lesson on the meaning of 'fair' ). I merely stated why I can see how the IFA, purely in footballing terms, could be disadvantaged by a deal allowing both associations to pick from either territory.

Though as Dodge points out above, in hindsight they would've lost nothing by accepting it. Obviously they had confidence their misguided case was a winner...

True enough, the only connection you have with my reply was that I quoted yours and you had used the word unfair. Apart from that, there was absolutely no connection.
We do indeed live in bizarre times.

[The Fly]

Nevertheless, the IFA probably felt that it would lead to the formation of "Ireland A" and "Ireland B", but as we know, that is but a conjecture.

It's a little more than conjecture. Indeed, that would have been the end result, with an official seal of approval to boot.

In theory, it would have put the IFA at a clear advantage over the rest of FIFA's members - they would become the only member able to select players based on two nationalities, rather than one, if I'm not mistaken.

They already do that.

[Predator]

They already do that.

British nationality alone allows one to represent the IFA.

[Predator]

It's a little more than conjecture. Indeed, that would have been the end result, with an official seal of approval to boot.

I call it conjecture, because to me, it is.
The two teams would still exist, as would the IFA and the FAI. The IFA's playing pool would have been boosted considerably and for an association with a small playing pool, that, I would think would be desirable. Of course, the IFA would not have had to select any Irish nationals born outside their territory - territory seems to be a sticking point for the IFA - but it would have given them a slight advantage.

What the IFA should have considered was whether two 'mixed' Ireland teams in Ireland would have been better than their current situation. Instead they opted to try to stop Irish nationals playing for the FAI.

[The Fly]

British nationality alone allows one to represent the IFA.

Players born in Northern Ireland do not have British nationality alone.

[Predator]

If you re-read my earlier post I pointed out that, if they accepted FIFA's proposal, the IFA would have been put in a position where they could select players on the basis of two nationalities, rather than one. At present they can only select players on the basis of one nationality - British. Am I mistaken?

[The Fly]

If you re-read my earlier post I pointed out that, if they accepted FIFA's proposal, the IFA would have been put in a position where they could select players on the basis of two nationalities, rather than one. At present they can only select players on the basis of one nationality - British. Am I mistaken?

Either Passport will do. British Citizenship is, however, a 'must' for eligibility for Northern Ireland - the IFA being a "British Association", and so defined by FIFA. Birth in Northern Ireland would effectively prove British Citizenship.

[Predator]

Either Passport will do.

I understand, but when did I say anything about passports?

British Citizenship is, however, a 'must' for eligibility for Northern Ireland - the IFA being a "British Association", and so defined by FIFA. Birth in Northern Ireland would effectively prove British Citizenship.

This is what I've been saying.

And if the IFA had accepted FIFA's proposals, then Irish or British nationality would make a player eligible for the IFA.

[The Fly]

This is what I've been saying.

You stated that at present the IFA/NI can 'only select players on the basis of one nationality - British.' That's not the case, they select players who are dual nationals.

And if the IFA had accepted FIFA's proposals, then Irish or British nationality would make a player eligible for the IFA.

It would have been lunacy for the IFA to have agreed to such a proposal, for reasons I have already outlined.