NI boss targets Republic's Gibson

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by CollegeTillIDie

Lopez

I have actually seen the Wales passport. It's like a British Passport only with an inside page indicating the person is from Wales and I think Wales is there in Welsh into the bargain. I don't know if they are standard issue but the point is they can be got.

---

Effectively it's a British passport in a the Welsh language. The person is still British no matter how you dress it up (and the best way to dress it up is to stick this document in a £4.99 pvc holder claiming the passport is indeed of a country that doesn't exist).

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Tuff Paddy

Do you want one?

---

Can I have one in my own indigenous tongue, cockney rhyming slang. Aye'd Tom Clancy a crown court with a bit a rabbit and pork inside. :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Not Brazil

And...if they don't want to play, we don't want them.

How many underage players have left the IFA setup to join the FAI setup to date?

Is it still in single figures?

The "Irish Citizens" in the Northern Ireland Under 16 team who defeated the Republic Of Ireland recently must have missed out on your thoughts.

---

LOFL. :D Oh the 'we don't care' argument. Yeah this 'defection' is so small - one senior player since 1950 - that it takes up, what is it now?, over a hudred pages on ourweeminds. Obviously one person wanting a united Ireland, one person considering his capital as Dublin, and his team as NOT the one that stands for an anthem about a German is too much for the IFA.

There is no way that the IFA would waste it's time if it was just down to the pittiless figures of players from the O6C that have represented Ireland at senior level, ones that you claim you don't want anyway. Why bother? Dress it up as much as you like, but this is an ideological fight to prevent people playing for THEIR country and forcing them to play for another country that represents everything they resent. ie. British rule.

As someone has already stated, you should be looking after the players who DO want to play for you, whether they are Catholic, Protestant or those that have just got British citizenship though born overseas, even if their passport is in Welsh, Gallic or Cockney Rhyming Slang.

And nice to see you are happy about the nationalists in your side. A team that probably has a majority of Sinn Fein voters must really p*ss off a chunky section of your support.

As for Absinthe: Cead mille failte, but I think you've drinking too much of it. Try it without the Laudanum in future. I like your equation of Czechoslovakia with Ireland under British rule. :rolleyes: It's like comparing a divorcing couple remaining friends with an escaping sex slave from an abusive husband who took her out of her cage only when he wanted to rape her.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by lopez

As for Absinthe: Cead mille failte, but I think you've drinking too much of it. Try it without the Laudanum in future. I like your equation of Czechoslovakia with Ireland under British rule. :rolleyes: It's like comparing a divorcing couple remaining friends with an escaping sex slave from an abusive husband who took her out of her cage only when he wanted to rape her.

---

Czechoslovakia , with the Slovaks ruled more or less by the Czechs, was more like Scotland being ruled by Ireland for a while after being ruled by England for hundreds of years. Slovaks and Czechs have a cultural affinity akin to ours with the Scots.

[B lopez; this is an ideological fight to prevent people playing for THEIR country and forcing them to play for another country that represents everything they resent. ie. British rule.

As someone has already stated, you should be looking after the players who DO want to play for you, whether they are Catholic, Protestant or those that have just got British citizenship though born overseas, even if their passport is in Welsh, Gallic or Cockney Rhyming Slang.

And nice to see you are happy about the nationalists in your side. A team that probably has a majority of Sinn Fein voters must really p*ss off a chunky section of your support.[/B]

What part of "you cannot force a player to play for anybody they don't want to play for" are you struggling with?

This is about clarifying FIFA rules (obviously there is confusion), and making sure they are adhered to.

Who cares what party a player votes for? Who knows what party a player votes for?

Would players playing their club football in England even vote for parties in Ireland? I don't know, and I don't care.

The only thing that matters is that the player WANTS to play for Northern Ireland, and gives the shirt 100%.

If he does, regardless of any other factor, he will receive total support from Northern Ireland fans.

I would have thought that the fact that "nationalists" play for Northern Ireland teams at all age levels must really p*ss off a chunky section of SF's support.

The fact that our representative teams are, always were and always will be "cross community", is something that I cherish.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Not Brazil

I would have thought that the fact that "nationalists" play for Northern Ireland teams at all age levels must really p*ss off a chunky section of SF's support.

---

Not sure why you single out Sinn Fein, both Nationalist parties in the North are prepared to challenge any attemps by the IFA to block Irish players from representing their country in the future.

The SDLP spokesman on the issue pat Ramsey MLA, is clear about his parties support and has said as much in their letter to FIFA president Sepp latter.

It would seem ludicrous that an Irish citizen born anywhere in the world would have an entitlement to play for the Irish team, but that a citizen from my own city of Derry could not.

The SDLP recognises that unionist people see Northern Ireland as a country and, from their point of view, it makes logical sense for Northern Ireland to have its own team. However, for Irish nationalists, and it is a fact, Northern Ireland is a state rather than a nation or country and therefore its football team is not seen, by Irish nationalists, as a national team. Given the Irish constitution, which formally recognises the Irish citizenship of people born in Northern Ireland, Irish nationalists see the Republic of Ireland team as the national team and many would opt to play for the Republic’s team.

http://oneteaminireland.bravehost.com/259.html

The department of foreign affairs may have a big part to play over the coming months.

Quote:

---

The department of foreign affairs may have a big part to play over the coming months.

---

Hopefully. Because God knows I don't trust the FAI to deal effectively with this one.

To me, the issue is simple. I live in Co. Armagh. I have one nationality - Irish. I don't have a "complicated identity" or"dual nationality". I am an Irishman with an Irish passport born in Ireland who considers Dublin my capital, the Irish tricolour my flag and Amhrán na bhFiann my national anthem. To force people like me no option but to play for the farcicial entity that is Northern Ireland is nothing short of a disgrace and its up to the FAI and the Irish government to ensure that the choose to be recognised as Irish in all realm of life, including international football, remains open to all those born in Ireland.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by co. down green

Not sure why you single out Sinn Fein, both Nationalist parties in the North are prepared to challenge any attemps by the IFA to block Irish players from representing their country in the future.

---

It was lopez who singled SF out.

It would be FIFA making decisions on who plays where, not the IFA.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by HolylandsMan

Hopefully. Because God knows I don't trust the FAI to deal effectively with this one.

To me, the issue is simple. I live in Co. Armagh. I have one nationality - Irish. I don't have a "complicated identity" or"dual nationality". I am an Irishman with an Irish passport born in Ireland who considers Dublin my capital, the Irish tricolour my flag and Amhrán na bhFiann my national anthem. To force people like me no option but to play for the farcicial entity that is Northern Ireland is nothing short of a disgrace and its up to the FAI and the Irish government to ensure that the choose to be recognised as Irish in all realm of life, including international football, remains open to all those born in Ireland.

---

but would you not say you were at least happy when david healy scored against spain, or against england. I'm from Co. Tyrone and I know although I am a block booker for the FAI, I still like to see norn iron do well. Just that if I had a choice as a pro footballer I would probably play for the republic, but if I didn't I could live with it. Not saying that is right from a constitutional point of view, but i'm not that twisted that I actively will norn iron to lose.

dermot ahern should write a strongly worded letter to fifa, after getting the legal advice of the attorney general, regarding this breach of our sovereignty. and sepp blatter needs to be made aware that said annex applies to home nations, and ireland was never a home nation, so it shouldn't affect us.

Anybody care to open a book on the FIFA judgement?

Considering that the BBC, the Indo, Belfast Tel and a hundred other media outlets have announced that FIFA have already ruled in favour of the IFA, would anybody care to offer 50/1 that FIFA will not make a change to their interpretation of the rules that allow for example the likes of Alex Bruce and Michael O'Connor to play for Ireland?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Not Brazil

What part of "you cannot force a player to play for anybody they don't want to play for" are you struggling with?

---

I'm having a problem with the 'we don't want any player who doesn't want to play with us' line on the one hand, and the fact that you are preventing these players playing for their country, i.e. the one they have ctizenship of although I'd go further and say it was the one they were born in. Because less face it, Northern Ireland isn't a country is it? I mean are you trying to say that what is the six counties is a country in the sense that the vast majority of the world would consider it?

If any player didn't want to play for Ireland I'd say good luck. Even if he was born in Ireland. Trouble is you just can't let go. And don't give me this FIFA rulling b*llocks. It's the IFA that have dragged this up. FIFA were happy to let things stand previously at what they were. Pretty sad really for, what is by your own admission, so far just one player.

What i want to know is are the fai going to stand up for the rights of irish people in the six counties so they can choose to play for ireland if they wish to do so.

Even if it means court??

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Not Brazil

The fact that our representative teams are, always were and always will be "cross community", is something that I cherish.

---

Northern Ireland. A team with GSTQ as the national anthem. That uses a St George's cross as a flag. Has a history of accomodating a hardline secterian element amongst it's fans. This is a team that you state is, always was and always will be representative of the "cross community".

C'mon Not Brazil. Is this statement for real or a wind-up? I suppose the Nazis were representative of a "cross community" political party also were they? Don't be ridiculous.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by youngirish

Northern Ireland. A team with GSTQ as the national anthem? That uses a St George's cross as a flag. Has a history of accomodating a hardline secterian element amongst it's fans. This is a team that you state is, always was and always will be representative of the "cross community".

C'mon Not Brazil. Is this statement for real or a wind-up? I suppose the Nazis were representative of a "cross community" political party also were they? Don't be ridiculous.

---

Someones Wumming here alright.:rolleyes:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Lionel Ritchie

Someones Wumming here alright.:rolleyes:

---

Yeah I'm wumming okay. Sorry Lionel I stand corrected the Northern Ireland football team has and always will be equally representative of both the Nationalist and Unionist peoples of the province. It's an all inclusive organisation that spreads peace and love to all and makes the world a better place to live in.

If you love the North and their fans so much (and I can tell you do from your numerous postings on these matters) why don't you go and support them instead of posting your unique brand of misguided PC blandness on these forums.

Yawn. Never, ever Lionel form an opinion that might offend a group of people no matter how in the wrong they are. That would be a bad thing.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by youngirish

Yeah I'm wumming okay. Sorry Lionel I stand corrected the Northern Ireland football team has and always will be equally representative of both the Nationalist and Unionist peoples of the province. It's an all inclusive organisation that spreads peace and love to all and makes the world a better place to live in.

If you love the North and their fans so much (and I can tell you do from your numerous postings on these matters) why don't you go and support them instead of posting your unique brand of misguided PC blandness on these forums.

Yawn. Never, ever Lionel form an opinion that might offend a group of people no matter how in the wrong they are. That would be a bad thing.

---

What I'm guessing Not Brazil meant is that teams from NI have generally been made up of players from both sides of the community but I suppose you decided to twist what he meant in order to have a cheap dig.

Quote:

---

What I'm guessing Not Brazil meant is that teams from NI have generally been made up of players from both sides of the community but I suppose you decided to twist what he meant in order to have a cheap dig.

---

Yes thats what he meant, even if it were eyes half closed....

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by gustavo

What I'm guessing Not Brazil meant is that teams from NI have generally been made up of players from both sides of the community but I suppose you decided to twist what he meant in order to have a cheap dig.

---

I thought I was quite clear in what I said.

"The fact that our representative teams are, always were and always will be "cross community", is something that I cherish"

It's a mere statement of fact.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by youngirish

Yawn. Never, ever Lionel form an opinion that might offend a group of people no matter how in the wrong they are. That would be a bad thing.

---

Had you a particular "group of people" in mind, and would you care to point out what you mean by "wrong"?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by HolylandsMan

To me, the issue is simple. I live in Co. Armagh. I have one nationality - Irish. I don't have a "complicated identity" or"dual nationality". I am an Irishman with an Irish passport born in Ireland who considers Dublin my capital, the Irish tricolour my flag and Amhrán na bhFiann my national anthem.

---

Well, congratulations, but your "considerations" are unlikely to be at the forefront of FIFA's rule-makers' thinking. Regardless of your considerations, Co. Armagh is in Northern Ireland, not the Republic.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by HolylandsMan

To force people like me no option but to play for the farcicial entity that is Northern Ireland is nothing short of a disgrace and its up to the FAI and the Irish government to ensure that the choose to be recognised as Irish in all realm of life, including international football, remains open to all those born in Ireland.

---

Not being eligible to play professional football for the ROI does not mean you aren't Irish!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by lopez

I'm having a problem with the 'we don't want any player who doesn't want to play with us' line on the one hand, and the fact that you are preventing these players playing for their country, i.e. the one they have ctizenship of although I'd go further and say it was the one they were born in. Because less face it, Northern Ireland isn't a country is it? I mean are you trying to say that what is the six counties is a country in the sense that the vast majority of the world would consider it?

---

Well, it's a country for the purposes of international football, which is what we're talking about! And it's a bit of a stretch to claim that someone born in NI was actually born in ROI!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by kingdomkerry

What i want to know is are the fai going to stand up for the rights of irish people in the six counties so they can choose to play for ireland if they wish to do so.

Even if it means court??

---

What rights?

What court? On what grounds?

can you believe this thread has made 1000 posts?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Blanchflower

Well, congratulations, but your "considerations" are unlikely to be at the forefront of FIFA's rule-makers' thinking. Regardless of your considerations, Co. Armagh is in Northern Ireland, not the Republic.

---

No shít, we have a smug map reader who has a turn at reading FIFA minds.
FIFA's rules on eligibility are very player's rights orientated. They have been quite happy to allow Bruce and O'Connor declare for Ireland. FIFA's legal department were fully satisfied that the FIFA rules were being fully complied with.
The FIFA legal department were fully satisfied that a NI born Irish citizen was 100% Irish and entitled to play for Ireland.
In October 2006 FIFA Legal head confirmed this.
What's your point? The IFA have appealed for the 2nd or 3rd time. We are waiting for the decision.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ciaran

wow. Is gibson really that big a deal? >_>

---

No he isnt. This is about the future.

Would you be happy if for example Scotland, claimed that it was entitled to pick anyone who was born in the Republic of Ireland because they all support Celtic?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by geysir

No shít, we have a smug map reader who has a turn at reading FIFA minds.
FIFA's rules on eligibility are very player's rights orientated. They have been quite happy to allow Bruce and O'Connor declare for Ireland. FIFA's legal department were fully satisfied that the FIFA rules were being fully complied with.
The FIFA legal department were fully satisfied that a NI born Irish citizen was 100% Irish and entitled to play for Ireland.
In October 2006 FIFA Legal head confirmed this.
What's your point? The IFA have appealed for the 2nd or 3rd time. We are waiting for the decision.

---

Im happy to wait for the ruling, and I am still very confident that the ruling will be in the IFA's favour.

The key post that swings it, was the guy explaining that he considered himself Irish and only Irish. That is his right, as is enshrined in the GFA. Legally however, he is entitled to Dual Citizenship, and is therefore British & Irish by default as there is nothing to stop him claiming citizenship.

In a FIFA context he is eligible from birth, for 2 or more countries, and therefore the additional annexe (grandmother or residence) should apply.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by geysir

No shít, we have a smug map reader who has a turn at reading FIFA minds.
FIFA's rules on eligibility are very player's rights orientated. They have been quite happy to allow Bruce and O'Connor declare for Ireland. FIFA's legal department were fully satisfied that the FIFA rules were being fully complied with.
The FIFA legal department were fully satisfied that a NI born Irish citizen was 100% Irish and entitled to play for Ireland.
In October 2006 FIFA Legal head confirmed this.
What's your point? The IFA have appealed for the 2nd or 3rd time. We are waiting for the decision.

---

Um, my point is that the considerations of a random person in Co. Armagh is unlikely to weigh heavily in the minds of FIFA's rule-makers. Wasn't that clear?

If FIFA does rule that people in NI are eligible to play for the South (as I think they will) it won't be because of our Co. Armagh friend's feelings.

And our Co. Armagh friend's feelings do not alter the fact that Co. Armagh is in Northern Ireland, and, if he was born there, then he was not born in the Republic, which is what he claimed.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Absinthe

In a FIFA context he is eligible from birth, for 2 or more countries, and therefore the additional annexe (grandmother or residence) should apply.

---

That annex only applies if your nationality (singular) qualifies you for more than one country (e.g. British qualifies for England, Scotland, NI, Wales; Danish for Faroes and Denmark, etc.)

The likes of Gibson has dual nationality, which is different.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Blanchflower

That annex only applies if your nationality (singular) qualifies you for more than one country (e.g. British qualifies for England, Scotland, NI, Wales; Danish for Faroes and Denmark, etc.)

The likes of Gibson has dual nationality, which is different.

---

But, if FIFA rule that an Irish Passport is enough to represent the ROI, then their Nationality would qualify them to play for two countries. As an Irish passport is also enough to play for Northern Ireland. As in, you dont need a British passport to play for Northern Ireland. (This is already a rule).

HERE LADS:

Story Tools:

Print Email

Share Previous


Ireland under-23 manager Pat Fenlon has become the first boss to fall foul of UEFA's blocking of Northern players representing the Republic.

Fenlon wanted to bring Ruairdhi Higgins into his squad to play Slovakia next month.

However, UEFA refused to sanction the move as the Derry City midfielder has no connections with the Republic.



From breakingnews

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

HERE LADS:

Story Tools:

Print Email

Share Previous


Ireland under-23 manager Pat Fenlon has become the first boss to fall foul of UEFA's blocking of Northern players representing the Republic.

Fenlon wanted to bring Ruairdhi Higgins into his squad to play Slovakia next month.

However, UEFA refused to sanction the move as the Derry City midfielder has no connections with the Republic.



From breakingnews

---

Im still waiting for the ruling though. Maybe he doesnt have an Irish Passport for example, i.e. he could be a special case.

Although as mentioned before I am confident this will be the ruling that is made. And I am extremely confident the FAI will not be able to overturn the decision through any method. i.e. the courts, or political lobbying

I'd say a lad who is called Ruaidhri instead of Rory is going to love belting out GSTQ at Barbara Windsor park alright.

Absolute farce these lads not being able to play for us.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Absinthe

But, if FIFA rule that an Irish Passport is enough to represent the ROI, then their Nationality would qualify them to play for two countries. As an Irish passport is also enough to play for Northern Ireland. As in, you dont need a British passport to play for Northern Ireland. (This is already a rule).

---

An ROI passport isn't enough to play for NI. You have to be a UK citizen to play for NI. (You may also be an ROI citizen, and therefore have an ROI passport, but that is irrelevant in terms of eligibility.) FIFA, though, has allowed NI players to use ROI passports as a means of identification.

Quote:

---

I'd say a lad who is called Ruaidhri instead of Rory is going to love belting out GSTQ at Barbara Windsor park alright.

Absolute farce these lads not being able to play for us.

---

Surely more of a farce for people with no connection to the Republic to be playing for the Republic, than for people born and bred in NI to be playing from NI?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

HERE LADS:

Story Tools:

Print Email

Share Previous


Ireland under-23 manager Pat Fenlon has become the first boss to fall foul of UEFA's blocking of Northern players representing the Republic.

Fenlon wanted to bring Ruairdhi Higgins into his squad to play Slovakia next month.

However, UEFA refused to sanction the move as the Derry City midfielder has no connections with the Republic.



From breakingnews

---

Not so sure about this, Kevin Deery is in the squad.

Kevin is a born & bred Derry lad who has represented Ireland at u19, u21 & at 'b' international level.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SuperDave

can you believe this thread has made 1000 posts?

---

Surely i'm entilted to a prize for starting it?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by co. down green

Not so sure about this, Kevin Deery is in the squad.

Kevin is a born & bred Derry lad who has represented Ireland at u19, u21 & at 'b' international level.

---

Loads of Deerys from inishowen and stuff all round that way, so perhaps a chance parents and grandparents from Donegal.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Blanchflower

Surely more of a farce for people with no connection to the Republic to be playing for the Republic, than for people born and bred in NI to be playing from NI?

---

This has been said numerous times and it's really ****ing me off. You're just saying idiotic things like this to rouse people. These people with no 'connection' to the Republic are nationalists. FIFA currently feels they do have a connection with the Republic so that completely nullifies your argument. Even if FIFA were to rule otherwise, the Good Friday Agreement also states otherwise, and I'd pay much more attention to these than to you.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Tuff Paddy

what it boils down to is that an Irishman wants to play football for Ireland. It is a breach of a person's human rights to stop them doing so - and try arguing against that. It's not what you want or what you people think, it's about the individual's beliefs.

---

According to Uefa (apparently), he's Northern Irish, not from the Republic.

He is fully free to play for Northern Ireland, should he wish to.

It's not a breach of human rights to stop somebody from playing for a country they are not allowed to play for (which may or may not be the case).

It is not about the individuals beliefs, it is about Uefa's rules as long as they dont contravene any laws (which they might).

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Tuff Paddy

If this is true . . . and if I was Higgins, I would be getting myself the finest lawyer in the land. UEFA don't have a leg to stand on. And for all the whinging from other people on here what it boils down to is that an Irishman wants to play football for Ireland. It is a breach of a person's human rights to stop them doing so - and try arguing against that. It's not what you want or what you people think, it's about the individual's beliefs.

---

Why dont UEFA have a leg to stand on? I think they understand the law considerably better than you do. And again, there is virtually nothing a court can do.

Quote:

---

Not so sure about this, Kevin Deery is in the squad.

Kevin is a born & bred Derry lad who has represented Ireland at u19, u21 & at 'b' international level.

---

I would hazard a guess that he has played at U21 Level and is now over 21? This would ensure that he was absolutely tied to the Republic. Also, I wouldnt think the rules will be applied retrospectively, so as long as he played in a 'official' (i.e. qualifying match) for the U21's he would also be tied to the ROI.

Im guessing Harkin, has not played for the ROI U21's at that level, so therefore wouldnt be bound.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jmurphyc

This has been said numerous times and it's really ****ing me off. You're just saying idiotic things like this to rouse people. These people with no 'connection' to the Republic are nationalists. FIFA currently feels they do have a connection with the Republic so that completely nullifies your argument. Even if FIFA were to rule otherwise, the Good Friday Agreement also states otherwise, and I'd pay much more attention to these than to you.

---

Get back to us in a few days on that one. UEFA will be making this ruling based on what FIFA will have told them.

FIFA arent one of the signatories of the Good Friday Agreement. So they arent bound by it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Absinthe

Get back to us in a few days on that one. UEFA will be making this ruling based on what FIFA will have told them.

FIFA arent one of the signatories of the Good Friday Agreement. So they arent bound by it.

---

I never said FIFA were bound to the Good Friday Agreement. All I'm saying is that whatever happens in the next while I would still pay much more attention to the GFA than to what FIFA decide.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jmurphyc

I never said FIFA were bound to the Good Friday Agreement. All I'm saying is that whatever happens in the next while I would still pay much more attention to the GFA than to what FIFA decide.

---

Thats very good. The GFA doesnt govern world football. ;)

p.s. This ruling doesnt mean you can pick and indeed play people from Northern Ireland. What it does mean is that if you do, you will lose the game 3-0.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Tuff Paddy

If this is true . . . and if I was Higgins, I would be getting myself the finest lawyer in the land. UEFA don't have a leg to stand on. And for all the whinging from other people on here what it boils down to is that an Irishman wants to play football for Ireland. It is a breach of a person's human rights to stop them doing so - and try arguing against that. It's not what you want or what you people think, it's about the individual's beliefs.

---

Can't you see how ridiculous that is? By those standards English people with no connections could start declaring for Mozambique tomorrow. Or how about a Brazilian guy declaring for Saudi Arabia? Ridiculous, of course, but if an 'individual's beliefs' (and for that read: I want to get international football on my CV) dictated things then you'd have loads of those scenarios.

Of course, I'm not doubting there are some Northern Irish-born players who genuinely do want to play for the Republic. But they have no legal right in football terms (Ireland is a complicated anomaly, usually you can't have the passport from another country unless you've served a term of residency, or been born there and spent your childhood there) so allowing these players to play for the ROI would set a dangerous precedent. And the above scenario something I passionately don't want to see.

The whole point of international football is that you play for a country with which you have genuine family ties or in which you were born. Under your ridiculously selfish ideals we could well have plenty of Welsh players declaring for England in future because of their 'beliefs' i.e. playing for England will get me into more tournaments, so stuff the fact I've no ties there whatsoever, I'll play for them over my true country!

The point is, the Republic of Ireland shouldn't get special treatment just because of a political ruling that has absolutely nothing to do with football. As Absinthe's just pointed out, the Good Friday Agreement is an entirely political agreement between two governments which has no relevance whatsoever to football.

Personally I think Northern Ireland are getting well and truely screwed over by this rule and it's high time FIFA stepped in and put an end to this loophole.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Absinthe

Thats very good. The GFA doesnt govern world football. ;)

p.s. This ruling doesnt mean you can pick and indeed play people from Northern Ireland. What it does mean is that if you do, you will lose the game 3-0.

---

Did you honestly think that's what I'm trying to say? All I'm saying is that FIFA is a FOOTBALL organisation, so whatever happens I personally (and a lot of other people) will value the GFA over FIFA's ruling in regards to whether someone has the right to be Irish.

As for the 2nd paragraph, I didn't realise that FIFA had ruled yet so why are you talking about what may or may not happen.