Eligibility Rules, Okay

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Originally Posted by Not Brazil

You miss the point too - but that's not surprising.

We know about freedom of choice, FIFA rules etc.

Freedom of choice also extends to the which eligible players that IFA wishes to select to represent them.

Sinking in yet?

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Whereas you choose to miss the point deliberately? Which is also unsurprising. As it doesn't fit your convoluted theory.
Has that sunk in?

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Originally Posted by The Fly

Whoaa..........'major contributor from the Norn Iron perspective' and 'I'm not accusing the likes of NB or GR of possessing it either' ('it' being a 'have your cake and eat it' attitude), does not equate to being called the Voice or Reason.

Foot.ie tip lads - if GR gets to you, pay him a compliment. He loses all sense of perspective.

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Actually give him a plate of cake, two roast dinners or a tub of ice cream, believe me that'll shut him up...
And no way will he lose his perspective then.

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Originally Posted by Not Brazil

As an aside, Windsor Park has hosted an All Ireland International Team in recent times, for a competitive match.

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Really? Who?

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Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy

Really? Who?

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Is there no research in you?:D

The home team was called, unsurprisingly, "Ireland".

I attended the match.

http://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/fo...eill_1_3496582

“I would urge any young player in that situation to contact the IFA with their parents and speak to me, just to give them a full and clear picture of what is involved,” said O’Neill.
“It is a big decision to make at a very young age, to close the door on international football. That’s not a criticism of any decision they make, but it’s important they fully realise the consequences of that decision.

“If you’re not playing at the top – top level in English football – featuring in international football for Northern Ireland can certainly enhance your club career on so many levels. It’s a big decision to close that door at such a young age.”

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Originally Posted by Not Brazil

England.

Anywhere else you're aware of?

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Scotland circa 1995 iirc.

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Originally Posted by Predator

http://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/fo...eill_1_3496582

“I would urge any young player in that situation to contact the IFA with their parents and speak to me, just to give them a full and clear picture of what is involved,” said O’Neill.
“It is a big decision to make at a very young age, to close the door on international football. That’s not a criticism of any decision they make, but it’s important they fully realise the consequences of that decision.

“If you’re not playing at the top – top level in English football – featuring in international football for Northern Ireland can certainly enhance your club career on so many levels. It’s a big decision to close that door at such a young age.”

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Desperation setting in aready, get agent Gerry on the job :p

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Originally Posted by Not Brazil

Is there no research in you?:D

The home team was called, unsurprisingly, "Ireland".

I attended the match.

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When? About 100 years ago?

Fly, Your analysis of my posts indicate that you need to work on your analytical skills. In relation to my comments about plantations, while it was caustic, its purpose was to indicate my anger at the use of the term 'weeding out' in this debate due to its historical dimension. This seems to have gone over your head.

Secondly, in relation to my comments about possible recruitment by the FAI in NI, the point I was making was that I do not believe it has happened and until I hear different, I cannot accept it as a point from NI fans in this ongoing debate.

Lastly, I cannot fathom how you can argue that by trying to include an age clause in relation to player eligibilty, that it is not attempting to change the CAS Agreement. If for example, the government decided that the age for legal drinking was to be changed to 16, it would involve changing the law. How is NBs point different?

Talking about idiotic, I feel many of the points you have made recently show a lack of understanding of the fundamental point that there is in place a solution to this issue - the CAS Decision and therefore there is no need to attempt to change it.

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Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy

When? About 100 years ago?

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I haven't reached the age where you get a nice card from Her Majesty.

October 2000.

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Originally Posted by gastric

Secondly, in relation to my comments about possible recruitment by the FAI in NI, the point I was making was that I do not believe it has happened and until I hear different, I cannot accept it as a point from NI fans in this ongoing debate.

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Do you not believe Eunan O'Kane?

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Originally Posted by Not Brazil

Do you not believe Eunan O'Kane?

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To be honest NB, I haven't heard what he said. Have you got a link?

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Originally Posted by gastric

To be honest NB, I haven't heard what he said. Have you got a link?

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Covered not far up the thread gastric.

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Originally Posted by gastric

Fly, Your analysis of my posts indicate that you need to work on your analytical skills. In relation to my comments about plantations, while it was caustic, its purpose was to indicate my anger at the use of the term 'weeding out' in this debate due to its historical dimension. This seems to have gone over your head.

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NB's use of the term 'weeding out' was/is being used in reference to those with little, or no, real commitment to the Northern Ireland side, and not in some sort of ethnic context. Whilst it just so happens that said players will be from the nationalist community, that is neither here nor there.

I was quite strong on your comments because, caustic or not, they were unnecessary and I wouldn't want to see this place bearing even a slight resemblance to OWC. I realise that these matters can get a little heated at times but you shouldn't take them so seriously. This is only an internet forum after all! Just imagine what Danny, Predator, and myself had to put up with on that other forum, where one had to deal with a widespread "inability to understand/accept eligibility rules, pompous moderators, misrepresentation of facts, and a general unwillingness to engage with those of a different perspective".

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Originally Posted by gastric

Secondly, in relation to my comments about possible recruitment by the FAI in NI, the point I was making was that I do not believe it has happened and until I hear different, I cannot accept it as a point from NI fans in this ongoing debate.

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Fair enough. Whilst there's no evidence to suggest that the FAI has been actively involved in the recruitment of NI based players, personally speaking, I couldn't care less. Let's say they have been - so what?

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Originally Posted by gastric

Lastly, I cannot fathom how you can argue that by trying to include an age clause in relation to player eligibilty, that it is not attempting to change the CAS Agreement. If for example, the government decided that the age for legal drinking was to be changed to 16, it would involve changing the law. How is NBs point different?

Talking about idiotic, I feel many of the points you have made recently show a lack of understanding of the fundamental point that there is in place a solution to this issue - the CAS Decision and therefore there is no need to attempt to change it.

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You are misunderstanding the point that NB and I are making. I quite obviously accept, and indeed welcome, the decision made by the CAS. I am not trying to have it amended or have some sort of age-related clause inserted. Why would I? I'm a proud supporter of our national side.

NB is simply advocating a new approach by the IFA in regards to this issue. It has nothing to do with FIFA or the CAS. He proffers that the commitment of those players mentioned should be ascertained at the earliest possible opportunity - preferably before any 'enrolment' with the IFA's various youth sides. Players with ambitions of representing the ROI in international football should make the FAI their first port of call, and if it doesn't work out for them they are welcome to switch to NI set-up at a later date. Simples!!!

It's all fine in theory, but what would happen if a player was asked by the IFA if he wanted to represent the FAI and said he didn't, but later changed his mind or developed some late attachment to the sense of Irishness channelled through the Irish state? There'd also be the potential for abuse of this system by dishonest careerists.

On Fly's point, asking kids to commit before they enter youth sides is very simplistic. There are many young people who don't know what they want to do or who make rash decisions and regret them after. Part of the changes to FIFA's eligibilty rules were motivated by what was seen as an unfair situation when Tim Cahill as a 16 year old played for Samoa without understanding the consequences of his actions. Also, as such a commitment would not be binding, if players did decide to change country it would cause even more drama compared to now. CAS involvement would almost certainly occur as the politics of such a situation played out.

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Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

It's all fine in theory, but what would happen if a player was asked by the IFA if he wanted to represent the FAI and said he didn't, but later changed his mind or developed some late attachment to the sense of Irishness channelled through the Irish state?

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I can't imagine there being many such examples, but, if there were, nothing would happen. The player is still perfectly within his rights to change.

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There'd also be the potential for abuse of this system by dishonest careerists.

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Perhaps, but strictly speaking that is also the case at present.

Ultimately it's ****** though.
Have the IFA even insisted on this?

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Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

It's all fine in theory, but what would happen if a player was asked by the IFA if he wanted to represent the FAI and said he didn't, but later changed his mind or developed some late attachment to the sense of Irishness channelled through the Irish state? There'd also be the potential for abuse of this system by dishonest careerists.

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A fair point Danny - I would contend that most adults of 18 years old have a sense of who and what they are, and what their preferences are.

Such dishonesty, as that you mention wouldn't reflect well on the individual's concerned.

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Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy

Ultimately it's ****** though.
Have the IFA even insisted on this?

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Insisted on what, exactly, AB?

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Originally Posted by gastric

On Fly's point, asking kids to commit before they enter youth sides is very simplistic. There are many young people who don't know what they want to do or who make rash decisions and regret them after. Part of the changes to FIFA's eligibilty rules were motivated by what was seen as an unfair situation when Tim Cahill as a 16 year old played for Samoa without understanding the consequences of his actions. Also, as such a commitment would not be binding, if players did decide to change country it would cause even more drama compared to now. CAS involvement would almost certainly occur as the politics of such a situation played out.

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We're talking about adults, aged 18 and over.

Of course such a commitment would not be binding - a player who started following his dream with the FAI, and subsequently changed his mind for whatever reason, would be able to switch to the IFA as per current eligibility rules.

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Originally Posted by The Fly

Just imagine what Danny, Predator, and myself had to put up with on that other forum, where one had to deal with a widespread "inability to understand/accept eligibility rules, pompous moderators, misrepresentation of facts, and a general unwillingness to engage with those of a different perspective".

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I've seen that said about OWC somewhere before Mr Fly.:D