Eligibility Rules, Okay

http://ghk.h-cdn.co/assets/cm/15/11/...e-maker-xl.jpg

Exactly.

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Originally Posted by Gather round

Which is after all that my football team shouldn't exist

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It really isn't though. There's no need to put that emphasis on it as it implies I want to impose my will or that I'm trying to impose some moral expectation. I fully acknowledge the duty is on those who want it to persuade you and NI fans; the duty isn't on you to conform. It would be a proposal; not an obligation. There's a fundamental conceptual difference. It wouldn't be coercion; it'd be consensual.

Jesus lads, the Euros start in three days. Try to enjoy it.

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Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

It really isn't though. There's no need to put that emphasis on it as it implies I want to impose my will or that I'm trying to impose some moral expectation. I fully acknowledge the duty is on those who want it to persuade you and NI fans; the duty isn't on you to conform. It would be a proposal; not an obligation. There's a fundamental conceptual difference. It wouldn't be coercion; it'd be consensual.

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There is no duty on you to try and persuade him and NI fans, other than the duty you've taken upon yourself.

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Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

Jesus lads, the Euros start in three days. Try to enjoy it

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D'accord mon ami. I wish everyone involved the best of luck and an enjoyable trip.

Alas, competing schedules in a big country with potentially chaotic transport means I will be unable to join you for petit dejeuner de gauffres.

Mon bel Ami M. Lupe d'Ardee has just alerted me to a must-see on BBC TV tonight. I checked in the paper and sure enough, they've given Thierry Henri his own show ;)

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Originally Posted by osarusan

There is no duty on you to try and persuade him and NI fans, other than the duty you've taken upon yourself.

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Heh, I thought what I'd written was straightforward, but if that wasn't clear, that's more or less what I meant. If there is a duty to act, it necessarily or logically rests with the side that wants to achieve it. Obviously, if you wish to achieve something or set a target, a necessary or self-evident element (duty) of reaching that is actually striving to achieve it. In this instance, that would be a process of persuasion. Understanding this doesn't have to be difficult.

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Originally Posted by Gather round

D'accord mon ami. I wish everyone involved the best of luck and an enjoyable trip.

Alas, competing schedules in a big country with potentially chaotic transport means I will be unable to join you for petit dejeuner de gauffres.

Mon bel Ami M. Lupe d'Ardee has just alerted me to a must-see on BBC TV tonight. I checked in the paper and sure enough, they've given Thierry Henri his own show ;)

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He's lying of course. Wants us to lose every game!
We may oblige?

As for La Cheat, nothing to do with him but Rather Rotund's impending obesity, 30+ years in the making...
:rolleyes:

Personally, I hope NI get hammered every game in the Euros which will make me happy. Maybe that will end the ongoing condescending and arrogant posts on here. Good on you Danny and your determination to get your message across.

Heh, cheers, gastric. We're only play-fighting really. (I think!)

I'd posted the following in the "potential eligible players" thread but it's relevant here too as it relates to the exemption mechanism and what finalises a switch of association:

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Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

Had sent Yann another email just to pose some further questions but he's re-stated that, based on available info, Kouogan's case "seems perfectly legit". There should be no issue, as far as FIFA are concerned, in granting an exemption, so long as procedural matters are satisfied. Interestingly, he did inform me that the exemption mechanism was introduced only about three or four years ago, around 2013. I hadn't been aware of this.

I also raised the matter again of what actually effects a switch and he seems to be of the thinking now that it is the granting of the switch request, which would mean Jack Grealish, just to use an example, is now irreversibly tied. Yann's thinking appears to have changed although he didn't speak to the head of the PSC about it unfortunately. This would seem to conform with statements from FAI sources (if I recall correctly) a few months ago stating that once Grealish's switch would be granted, there'd be no going back on it. Indeed, it would also conform with the literal wording of article 8.1 which states that a player "may, only once, request to change the association for which he is eligible to play international matches".

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Grealish is now irreversibly tied to England, I should have said, of course.

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Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

Heh, cheers, gastric. We're only play-fighting really. (I think!)

I'd posted the following in the "potential eligible players" thread but it's relevant here too as it relates to the exemption mechanism and what finalises a switch of association:



Grealish is now irreversibly tied to England, I should have said, of course.

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Now that's something.

I was checking through Leicester's squad last night and I came across Gökhan Inler and I was trying to think where I had heard his name before (Napoli) andyway looking at his wiki it seems he played for Swiss U21 then Turkey U21 then Swiss senior:

2005 Switzerland U21 Appearances: 3
2006 Turkey U21 App: 1
2006– Switzerland App: 89

If the Turkey U21 game was a friendly would that have not tied him?

(that game was in 2006, I've found that much, I'm off to bed now.)

Wasn't sure where to put this, but this article is about Adrian Doherty, who I must confess I had never heard about before. A tragic story and while he represented NI at school boy level and U 17 level, by name, might have represented us at some stage. Reminds me a bit of Kevin Grogan's story, certainly another who was a loss to us. These stories fascinate me.

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/f...-a7067531.html

Edit: Was just reflecting on Grogan's career and found one of the most bizarre websites I have ever seen.

http://www.vipfaq.com/Kevin%20Grogan.html

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Originally Posted by Gather round

D'accord mon ami. I wish everyone involved the best of luck and an enjoyable trip.

Alas, competing schedules in a big country with potentially chaotic transport means I will be unable to join you for petit dejeuner de gauffres.

Mon bel Ami M. Lupe d'Ardee has just alerted me to a must-see on BBC TV tonight. I checked in the paper and sure enough, they've given Thierry Henri his own show ;)

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Talk about enjoyment, love this opinion piece by David McWilliams. I am sure GR, you will enjoy it too! :D

http://www.independent.ie/opinion/co...-34781435.html

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Originally Posted by BonnieShels

Now that's something.

I was checking through Leicester's squad last night and I came across Gökhan Inler and I was trying to think where I had heard his name before (Napoli) andyway looking at his wiki it seems he played for Swiss U21 then Turkey U21 then Swiss senior:

2005 Switzerland U21 Appearances: 3
2006 Turkey U21 App: 1
2006– Switzerland App: 89

If the Turkey U21 game was a friendly would that have not tied him?

(that game was in 2006, I've found that much, I'm off to bed now.)

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Nah, he wouldn't have had to have requested a switch to play in a non-FIFA sanctioned friendly. Michael O'Connor and Tony Kane did similar between the IFA, FAI and IFA again, if you recall. O'Connor was in our squad for a tournament known as the Madeira Cup whilst Kane actually played for us in that tournament (as well as in some other under-age friendlies). The Madeira Cup wouldn't have counted as FIFA competition. And sure didn't the FAI select and play two English players from Everton with no Irish heritage whatsoever a few years ago in at least one friendly? Jay Wallace and Gerard Kinsella were their names. So it's apparent that you can select whoever you like for friendlies, or for non-FIFA sanctioned games at least.

I'm not sure whether that translates into senior friendlies, mind. You'd have to assume not, as they count towards FIFA rankings, but I'm wondering what the punishment (if any) would be if you fielded an ineligible player in a senior friendly... Is there one?

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Originally Posted by gastric

Wasn't sure where to put this, but this article is about Adrian Doherty, who I must confess I had never heard about before. A tragic story and while he represented NI at school boy level and U 17 level, by name, might have represented us at some stage. Reminds me a bit of Kevin Grogan's story, certainly another who was a loss to us. These stories fascinate me.

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/f...-a7067531.html

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Eerie coincidence... If you'd been paying closer attention to EG's post/photo a few pages ago, you'd have spotted the young Doherty from Belldoo, Strabane in the NI schoolboys' starting line-up against Brazil at Windsor Park in 1988.

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Originally Posted by EalingGreen

Edit: I see now that Brendan does appear to have represented ROI Schools, somehow also managing to represent NI Schools, including here against Brazil:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uPuyj8xo7y...0/s640/036.jpg

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He's there on the far bottom-left to the immediate right of Brendan Rodgers (who is in full/dark tracksuit on his hunkers).

Good piece that in the Independent though. A tragic story and end, indeed.

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Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

Nah, he wouldn't have had to have requested a switch to play in a non-FIFA sanctioned friendly. Michael O'Connor and Tony Kane did similar between the IFA, FAI and IFA again, if you recall. O'Connor was in our squad for a tournament known as the Madeira Cup whilst Kane actually played for us in that tournament (as well as in some other under-age friendlies). The Madeira Cup wouldn't have counted as FIFA competition. And sure didn't the FAI select and play two English players from Everton with no Irish heritage whatsoever a few years ago in at least one friendly? Jay Wallace and Gerard Kinsella were their names. So it's apparent that you can select whoever you like for friendlies, or for non-FIFA sanctioned games at least.

I'm not sure whether that translates into senior friendlies, mind. You'd have to assume not, as they count towards FIFA rankings, but I'm wondering what the punishment (if any) would be if you fielded an ineligible player in a senior friendly... Is there one?

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As I said, I feel that that Turkey U21 game was a friendly. But I stated that I didn't know for sure.
In all probability it is. But until then...

http://www.independent.ie/sport/socc...-34791994.html

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"Sport is so much more than entertainment. Sport brings us together and helps bridge cultural, linguistic or ethnic divides.

"This year, of course, we have two Irish teams participating, and we have the additional joy of supporting each other.

"It is my sincere hope that our teams' participation in Euro 2016 will be an occasion to strengthen the common bonds among all of us living on this island, and within the community of peoples we call Europe."

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Yes. I hope to learn more about Northern Irish culture and the way their citizens live. The food they eat, the clothes they wear, the language they speak. I want to learn more about July 12th when scores of Northern Irish children of every creed join hands, sing merry songs and concoct giant bonfires made of smiles and wonderment.

http://www.the42.ie/northern-ireland...87887-Jun2016/

Relevant article in light of what's been discussed here lately.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fzaD7YFdq4

Why do the BBC still think that birth south of the border qualifies a player to play for NI?

Can't spell Republic either.

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Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

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Why do the BBC still think that birth south of the border qualifies a player to play for NI?

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I noticed that too when it appeared in my FB stream and thought I'll be barracked as a killjoy if I point it out. Technially they use an over arching term "can pick players from the south" which while being economical with fact would be correct in the event the 'southern' player had an ancestral connection that satisfied the relevant article (I'm sure you've forgotten more on this subject than I'll ever know). So they can't pick any old player they like from the south and their ability to pick any qualifying player from the south is no different from their ability to pick a qualifying player from any other part of the planet.

I imagine they thought a more exact outline of the facts would take away from the attempted hilarity of pointing out how similar the two countries are.

It was kinda funny. And a nice attempt.

I note Brazil-born Éder qualifies to play for Italy on account of an Italian great-grandfather: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89...an_footballer)

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Originally Posted by Wikipedia

Éder, as a dual citizen of Italy and Brazil, was eligible to play for both nations. He qualified for the Italian national team through his Italian citizenship and through his Italian great-grandfather Battista Righetto, who came from Nove in Veneto.

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Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

I note Brazil-born Éder qualifies to play for Italy on account of an Italian great-grandfather: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89...an_footballer)

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Is it not the 11 consecutive years he's played in Italy that qualifies him for the Italian national team?

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Originally Posted by osarusan

Is it not the 11 consecutive years he's played in Italy that qualifies him for the Italian national team?

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Ah, that is a possibility, yes.

Like after all big Ireland results, there are a few happy boys on twitter tonight.
Michael Duffy https://twitter.com/michaelduffy_/st...23617405730816
Dale Gorman https://twitter.com/DaleGorman7/stat...22235571281920
Jay Donnelly (Rory's brother) https://twitter.com/JaayD99/status/745719298715492353
And some boys happy after tonight and last night.
Robbie McDaid https://twitter.com/RobbieMcDaid/sta...22889454882816
Mikhail Kennedy https://twitter.com/MikhailKennedy/s...22140402515968
Luke Conlan https://twitter.com/LukeConlan1/stat...20945801838592
Ryan McLaughlin https://twitter.com/RyanMcL2/status/745719631793496064

Such an interesting position to be supporting of two sides. Fair play. I don't really have any motivation to support Northern Ireland but fair play, it's a nice story. Same way I'd see Wales as a nice story.

It's clearly an age and generational thing.

Never until possibly hell freezing over would I wish the IFA team well. Ever.

Well done all, you bossed that from start to end.

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Originally Posted by BonnieShels

It's clearly an age and generational thing.

Never until possibly hell freezing over would I wish the IFA team well. Ever.

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I think it's more random and unpredictable than that. Not least as most fans aren't as hardcore as those of us on message boards- they just get involved for a big match or tournament.

I imagine you'd want NI to win or draw if it helped you to progress in a tournament.

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Originally Posted by Gather round

Well done all, you bossed that from start to end.



I think it's more random and unpredictable than that. Not least as most fans aren't as hardcore as those of us on message boards- they just get involved for a big match or tournament.

I imagine you'd want NI to win or draw if it helped you to progress in a tournament.

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Naturally. But until that day comes... It'll still be a begrudging misery of a thing to want.

Little snippet beside Brian Kerr's article in the Indo today. He stated that Michael McGovern, the NI goalkeeping hero from Enniskillen, was called up to one of his underage squads and that he "seemed interested in declaring for us" but Kerr had a think about it and realised that there were too many goalkeepers ahead of McGovern in the queue for the senior side (he names Kiely, Given, Wayne Henderson and Brian and Joe Murphy). So, Kerr told him plump for the NI team to have a better chance at international football.

As an aside, I met a couple of lads from Tyrone on my travels in France last week. One was Niall McGinn's best mate. Needless to mention they weren't there supporting NI.

Neither was McGinn.

I miss this thread and that article in the Derry Sentinel about McEneff has ruffled my feathers.

It's going to the wire with Kosovo before their first game on monday.
Kosovo still awaiting Fifa clearance for six players


There was snotty condescending response from the Swiss federation

"The SFV regrets the priority of the Kosovar directors has been in trying to recruit players for the next World Cup qualifiers instead of consolidating the foundations of their federation,"

The passive-aggressiveness from the Swiss reminds me of someone.

They're talking about All Ireland XIs on Off The Ball. And some of the silliness is brain frying. They were talking about how we "took players" from the IFA.

I tweeted them and obviously mentioned Danny's blog.

Apparently there's chat this week about a reunified team. I missed that? Anyone?

Sinn Fein were on about it again. Citing how much better we are in rugby what with that being so internationally competitive and all.

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Originally Posted by BonnieShels

They're talking about All Ireland XIs. And some of the silliness is brain frying. They were talking about how we "took players" from the IFA.

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Who are?

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Originally Posted by The Fly

Who are?

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the voices !!

Think he means the football show on newstalk tonight. It was an awful segment in fairness so bad I switched over to five live for the Utd commentary to keep me going on my run(?jog) it's cold out there tonight kids.

Cheer Liam.

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Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

Sinn Fein were on about it again. Citing how much better we are in rugby what with that being so internationally competitive and all.

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We can beat New Zealand on our own, with our eyes closed.

I listened in to the that newstalk segment and it was a bit off the wall There was some journalist (Dunne ? or was he in the program after?) picking his AI team along with Killer who doesn't know much about anything before 1990.
I'll give the Nordies George Best but he'd have had to sober up to play with us in a best ever 11, we had enough drunks already.