Not strictly true. The 4 teams existed before FIFA.Quote:
Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy
It was the formation of the FAI which caused the controversy. Splitters.
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Not strictly true. The 4 teams existed before FIFA.Quote:
Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy
It was the formation of the FAI which caused the controversy. Splitters.
The original aspiration of the FAI (or the then-FAIFS) was to replace or succeed, rather than intentionally split from, the IFA. It was when it came to accessing FIFA membership that the association was granted entry based upon the jurisdiction of the Irish Free State. Recognition would not have been forthcoming otherwise.
Yes. What I said does not dispute that. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by DannyInvincible
Just spotted this, thanks to Pred:
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...,-73_OU02_.jpg
Shouldn't there be an apostrophe in the sub-heading?
http://dockfam.files.wordpress.com/2.../homer-doh.jpg
Would it matter if there was? Though that really is annoying.
Ok, but they were lucky they were allowed an exaggerated status. And what Danny said.Quote:
Originally Posted by BonnieShels
FIFA wanted to get the British associations on board in the mid-1940s and this was realised through the diplomacy of Jules Rimet. I don't think the maintenance of their respective autonomies was ever a sticking point with FIFA given they were already well-established as independent footballing entities and had been pivotal in formalising the laws of the game.
Some more on the history of it here: http://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/organi...ociations.html
If there was an issue at all with their membership, it appears to have been centred around the status of amateur players.Quote:
The four British associations return to FIFA after the Second World War: 25th FIFA Congress in Luxembourg in 1946
Congresses that left their mark on FIFA and football
The representatives of the 34 associations attending the first FIFA Congress staged after the Second World War pass several far-reaching decisions. Thanks to Jules Rimet's diplomatic skills, the four British associations - England, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland, return to FIFA after an absence of almost 20 years.
The reason for the temporary exclusion of these four member associations was a disagreement with FIFA on the status of amateur players. Leading the negotiations for the British are Arthur Drewry and Sir Stanley Rous, who will later take over the helm of FIFA.
The British associations' return is celebrated with a match between a UK team and a FIFA eleven in Glasgow's Hampden Park in 1947. Acclaimed by the press as the "Match of the Century", it pulls in a crowd of 135,000 eager fans. As a goodwill gesture, the receipts of GBP 35,000 were passed on to FIFA to help it bridge the financial losses suffered during the war. The British team won 6-1.
Further Congress decisions in 1946:
• The World Cup trophy is renamed the Jules Rimet Cup in the President's honour.
• Brazil are named hosts of the next World Cup (planned for 1949 but actually held in 1950) and Switzerland hosts of the subsequent tournament. Both tournaments are to be played according to the knockout system.
• The delegates approve CONMEBOL's proposal for Spanish to become an official language of FIFA.
The following extract from the Congress minutes testify to the significance of the 25th FIFA Congress.
http://www.fifa.com/mm/StaticPhoto/A...s/photo_13.jpg
The Jules Rimet Cup. Sounds like something Bonnie Shells nervously puts on around his groin before his sunday pub matches.
No. That's Ralgex.
:rolleyes:
The latest on 'our' Jamie...Quote:
Originally Posted by Not Brazil
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/su...-29121911.html
:rolleyes:
There's a book in that.Quote:
Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy
Possibly a mural.
Wee Jamie the OWC's mascot did alright, 1/2 a day on hunger strike is 2 hours longer than his predecessors.
He's certainly done better than his rotund compatriot on here would have...
;)
"Jamie Biryani" ?Quote:
Originally Posted by Sullivinho
'Northern Ireland boss O’Neill blasts FAI over pursuit of young players': http://www.independent.ie/sport/socc...-29126635.html
Not sure what the "moral issue" here is exactly. Unlike Worthington, I'd hoped O'Neill was above such moralistic whingeing. Players make a free and informed decision. They know the risks and there's nobody at the FAI hoodwinking them or coercing them into doing something against their will. In fact, I understand that most of the players who have switched are happier to take the risk and fight for a place in our sides rather than settle for the greater certainty or security of more caps and an international career with the IFA; an association to whom they don't feel culturally-affiliated.Quote:
NORTHERN IRELAND manager Michael O'Neill believes the FAI have "moral issues" to address over their pursuit of players from the six counties.
In criticising the FAI's approach, the former Shamrock Rovers boss pointed to the difficulties endured by Darron Gibson, James McClean and Marc Wilson under Giovanni Trapattoni and the lack of opportunities for less high-profile players like Daniel Kearns, who took a case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport to ensure he could play for the Republic.
O'Neill appears to have stemmed the flow of players, but remains frustrated that North-born Premier League regulars are denied to him by the rules that are in place.
"Marc Wilson had his problems, James (McClean) has had his problems, Darron Gibson has certainly not played anywhere near as much for the Republic of Ireland as he would have done for Northern Ireland," he said.
"Daniel Kearns, I feel a bit sorry (for). He was, possibly, a young lad that was put in a position that maybe the association shouldn't have put him in.
"As a player at 17 or 19, to change your allegiance without any potential promise of a full international career, I think there's a moral issue there. I don't think that's to the benefit of a player's career. And I think there is a moral aspect, as an association, to make sure that the interest is genuine."
When later he was asked if he comes across Trapattoni at games in England often, O'Neill said: "Funnily enough, I don't actually."
of course, the IFA approaching players like Callum Morris and Alex Bruce is all above board and beyond reproach
He's also over-playing the supposed "problems" experienced by switching players. Wilson's opportunities have been limited in the past due to recurring injury issues and the illness of his girlfriend, but he's clearly a big part of Trap's plans at present. Gibson has been capped 19 times and, whilst McClean has had off-the-field issues, they've not interfered with his international progress or aspirations. As for Kearns, he's still only 21; not like he's washed up or anything. And there's absolutely no indication that any of these players now harbour regrets over declaring for the FAI; not even Gibson with his apparent problems with Trap.
I also disagree with the misleading connotation behind this phrase: "denied to him by the rules that are in place". The rules don't deny O'Neill access to any player, just so long as they're eligible. It's his job to convince eligible players that their best option is to choose the IFA. No rule denies him any right he has to do this.
As the FAI doesn't pick the team, presumably O'Neill's statement is intended as an attack on Trapattoni's team selections?
Which association is that Michael?Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael O'Neill
Sorry Danny, remind me again who brought that case to CAS. I forget. It's been so long.
Indeed. Skimmed past that claim by the writer that it was Kearns "who took a case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport to ensure he could play for the Republic". Embarrassing.
I didn't even bother with the article. As it's in the Indo I made a presumption it was for the Bellylaugh originally so there's no point other than for me to get angry to read it.Quote:
Originally Posted by DannyInvincible
Incidentally, I just read over the CAS judgement there again. It's just breathtaking how flimsy the IFA's argument was from the get-go.
It read in this instance like CAS were admonishing a bold child.
Meanwhile JD was standing behind the teacher (CAS) sticking his tongue out and going "Na na na na na"!
Karim Benzema has drawn criticism from the French far-right over his refusal to sing 'La Marseillaise': http://www.as.com/english/articulo/f...asdenspo_4/Ten
Quote:
France's far-right National Front party has called for Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema to be excluded from the French national side. The political party, led by Marine Le Pen, made the declarations in reaction to Benzema's public comments that "Nobody can make me sing the 'Marseillaise'".
The Madrid player told French radio: "I love the national team - I don't understand how anyone can question that. It's a dream to play for France, but nobody can make me sing. I don't see the problem. [France legend] Zinedine Zidane didn't sing the national anthem either. There are fans in the stadium who don't sing. What's important is that we're united."
Le Pen's sporting advisor, Eric Domard, responded to the striker's words with the following statement: "The National Front condemns this insulting attitude that once again sullies the image of the French national team after the fiascos of the team's revolt at World Cup 2010 and the excesses of some players at Euro 2012."
Furthermore, Domard denounced Benzema's comments as "an inconceivable and unacceptable show of contempt", slamming the player as a "footballing mercenary who earns 1,484 euros an hour".
John Delaney mentioned the eligibility issue and the prospect of a single all-island team in a feature broadcast by Sky Sports News yesterday:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=4X4WW_3GmHo
Quotes from this article: http://www.rte.ie/sport/cycling/2013...ive-job-offer/Quote:
Delaney also defended the FAI against accusations from Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill that they have poached players born in the North to represent the Republic.
He said: "The way I look upon it is we have never asked anyone to play for us who didn't want to play for us, so the players come and declare.
"That can be historic roots too - players like James McClean and Darron Gibson from Derry, they want to play for the Republic of Ireland, that's what they want to do.
"They may have played underage football for the North - and I'm respectful of that - but ultimately it comes down to the players' choice."
However, Delaney admits he would happy to see a team one day representing the whole of Ireland, as their rugby union colleagues do.
He said: "That's something I would personally like to see. I think anything like that is inextricably linked to a solution for the whole island. I don't think that can happen aside of that."
Doing what he does best at 03:25
Saw this piece by Arthur Duffy on Danny Lafferty in Tuesday's 'Derry Journal': http://www.derryjournal.com/sport/fo...laff-1-4936404
Quote:
In fact, commenting in a recent feature in the Burnley Matchday Programme, Lafferty was said to be delighted to be making his “mark for both club and country.”
The former Celtic youngster made no secret of the fact that graduating onto the international stage was always on his personal agenda having represented N. Ireland at Schoolboy, Youth and Under-21 levels.
He talked about Derry City and the fact that so many young players had opted to declare for the “South” rather than the “North” during his time as a full-time footballer.
“Derry seems to be a place where people had always been prepared to leave the North and declare for the South - Darron Gibson, Shane Duffy and James McClean - are probably the main three,” said Danny.
“I also could have had the option if I’d wanted it. I could always have chosen to go to the South at a younger age level, but I probably wouldn’t have made the grade at that time,” he maintained.
“Then again, I was never invited to play for the South, whereas with N. Ireland I have always had an involvement from schoolboy level.
“With me, it was never a sectarian thing or anything like that. N. Ireland gave me all my caps at schoolboy and youth level right up, so I felt it would be very disrespectful of me to simply turn my back on the North and then join the South just because of my religion.
“I also met Michael O’Neill when he became the international manager and I knew him from playing in the League of Ireland as he managed Shamrock Rovers. It was Michael who presented me with an opportunity to play at senior international level which has always been one of my ambitions,” continued Danny.
Lafferty was also honest enough to suggest that there was a much better chance of him getting regular international football for the North than there would have been in the South, had he opted to try his luck south of the border.
...
“I am thoroughly enjoying playing for N. Ireland at the top level. I’m playing for N. Ireland because that’s were I’m from. And I also think it’s good that I am another Catholic playing for the senior team. Thankfully, both politics and football have moved forward and I’m delighted to be a part of that as well.”
Lafferty’s commitment to the Northern Ireland cause has seen him sign-up as an IFA Ambassador for the “Football For All” Project, which uses the sport to promote peace and reconciliation and bring together both sides of the religious divide. And Danny was back in his home town earlier this year to promote the project in the company of his N. Ireland boss.
Aye, dunno how good he is but mentioned in the context of their game at Blackburn this pm, as the 'big' game of the day cross channel.
Was there a Union flag flying officially in Windsor Park the other evening? Looks like it: https://twitter.com/AreWeACountry/st...12298217201664
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BGi9puSCYAA9aJg.jpg
Football for all.
You missed the word 'unionists'.
:rolleyes:
Tbf, as I'm sure Danny knows, the ratio of UJ's to the 'official' flag of the North must be about 100 to 1 in the Six Counties.Quote:
Originally Posted by DannyInvincible
City Hall aside, be interesting to know from Northern posters, how many of the latter they've spotted on a regular basis?
On my last visit to Beal-feirste must have seen have seen about 2 or 3, compared to about 500 or so of the main 'fleg'...
It was the summer mind.
That's true, but my understanding is that the 'Ulster Banner' is the IFA's official designated or representative flag, as far as FIFA are concerned.
Aye, but Tbf to the IFA that could be a Linfield 'fleg'.
Ironically, as it stands the next Commonwealth Games could start in a stadium with a tricolour (Irish) on its roof...
I didn't attend the match through the week.Quote:
Originally Posted by DannyInvincible
The Union Flag, and a Linfield Flag, are normally flown on the poles in the picture - they are, in my experience, removed for Northern Ireland matches. Can't comment on whether this was an oversight, or a deliberate change in protocol
The "official" flags are flown from poles on the roof of the North Stand - consisting of the National Flag of the visiting team, the "Ulster Banner" and the FIFA flag.
I'm sure Danny also knows that the "official" flag of Northern Ireland is the Union Flag.:DQuote:
Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy
Fair enough. But what's the 'b*stardized' Ulster flag for then? If it's not the official 'fleg' of the North?
Why the other 'fleg', or are Linfield more Brits than the IFA?
And why don't Stormont/the IFA use the St.Patrick's Cross, especially to accommodate all those 'Irish' unionists...
:rolleyes:
The Ulster Banner is the flag "officially" used by the Irish Football Association for International games - a change to the Cross of Saint Patrick would be a good shout - I would have no issues with that at all.Quote:
Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy
The National Flag of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland will proudly be flown, officially, at Linfield home matches until our Membership decide otherwise.
Linfield are not the only Irish League club to officially fly the National Flag of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland at home matches.
Heh, fair answer.
Am bemused though why the 'Ulster banner' doesn't get more of a look-in, as there seems to be a lot for the North's games these days, but nowhere else in official or public life on the same scale?
Linfield's stance is completely unsurprising, but also that they don't fly both, or does the one undermine the other?
The "Ulster Banner" is probably the single most popular flag used by Northern Ireland fans at matches nowadays - when I was a lot younger, it was definately the Union Flag which was most popular.Quote:
Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy
I guess the Union Flag is more widely used in public life because it is the "official" flag of Northern Ireland - during the "marching season", I still see lots of "Ulster Banners" flying in Unionist areas, throughout Northern Ireland - I suspect this year there will be a lot more Union Flags, given the whole City Hall controversy.
My local Council Buildings have the Union Flag and the Ulster Banner both flying officially.
Linfield FC just fly the Union Flag and a Club Flag - never really thought about why an Ulster Banner is not flown also, to be honest.
Yeah, if you see photos of WC '82 & '86, conspicuous by its absence.
Seen a little concentration of the 'banner' round the entrance to the Shankhill, otherwise it was the other 'fleg' Everywhere...but interested the former is more widespread.
Though clearly you spend more time in unionist areas than I do!
I was at the WC Finals in 82 - most of my mates had Ulster Banners with them (myself included) - except the Catholic lad rooming with us - he had a, somewhat embarrassing, bedsheet with "Billy Bingham Bites Yer Bum" scawled on it.Quote:
Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy
Those were the days when England fans still had lots of Union Flags in their ranks.
I spend time, through work, in both Unionist and Nationalist areas, and see all sorts of flags and symbols - I live in an extremely mixed area, where flags are not flown by the the residents.