IFA lay claim to Darron Gibson

IFA lay claim to Darron Gibson


The FAI have refuted claims from Northern Ireland that midfielder Darron Gibson is ineligible to play for the Republic of Ireland after his inclusion in Steve Staunton's squad for next Wednesday's European Championship qualifier with San Marino. Derry-born Gibson, currently on loan at Royal Antwerp from Manchester United, did play for the North at Under 15 level but subsequently switched his allegiance to the South and has been involved at underage and B level before being promoted to the senior set-up by Staunton on Tuesday.

After that became public knowledge, IFA chief executive Howard Wells said the North would attempt to block the call-up as they are currently taking up Gibson's case with FIFA. "We have presented the case to both FIFA and UEFA and are waiting for their decision," said Wells. "We were told to produce case studies and Darron Gibson is one of those case studies. It is not about passports, it's about eligibility and we have asked FIFA and UEFA to apply their rules. We have told the FAI about this and we will see what happens."


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