Eligibility Rules, Okay

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Originally Posted by greendeiseboy

But was that only for if they hadn't played a senior game? I thought a few on here were saying that once McCarthy turned 21 that he'd be eligible regardless of whether he played a competitive or not.

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No, dual or multi-nationals beyond the age of 21 would have had to have played in a competitive game at some level bar senior level in order to be tied to one of the associations for whom they qualified in the first place. If they'd never represented an association, then I don't think they'd have been officially registered with it, if you know what I mean, so the choice would have remained open to players over 21 in that situation under the pre-2009 rules.

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Originally Posted by Predator

If I come across any gems I'll be sure to share.

Just on the IFA PR machine - I noticed a referral by Worthington to "The North of Ireland" when he was standing outside St. Columb's College in Derry in that BBC interview. He's obviously trying to dissuade any future Gibsons from making the switch by visiting his alma mater.

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What on earth was he doing outside our hallowed College?!

Edit: Just seeing the BBC have stuck a video up now.

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Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

What on earth was he doing outside our hallowed College?!

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Any port in a storm?
;)

Nigel Worthington is an idiot. :(

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Originally Posted by awec

Nigel Worthington is an idiot. :(

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Now now. He's doing a great job for us

I also noticed that the video report mentions how Bruce's mother was actually born in the north. Is this correct? I'd previously understood it was just his grandparents on the Bruce side. Wasn't Steve Bruce eligible to play for us as well?

Edit: Sorry, completely misheard the report. I should pay better attention. It said Steve Bruce's mother was from the north; not Alex's.

I think this a cunning ploy by Worthington to sell his new book to the north's fans

http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/6...mmiesnigel.png

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Originally Posted by eitoof

After all the time and expense we spent in developing him as a player.... Oh, wait, sorry...:rolleyes:

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I for one hope a sternly worded letter has been sent from Abbottstown to Windsor Avenue objecting in the strongest possible terms to this blatant pilferage of our players and demanding immediate restitution of the €72.36 it cost to Ryanair him from Leeds-Bradford twice.

In reference to that quote from Carál Ní Chuilín in the report, it was in response to a parliamentary question from Jim Allister of the TUV last Friday. Here's the exchange in full:

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Mr Allister asked the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure whether she has made, or intends to make, any represenatations to the relevant authorities about people born in Northern Ireland playing football for the Republic of Ireland.

(AQW 576/11-15)

Ms Ní Chuilín: The Good Friday Agreement provides for people from the North of Ireland to claim either Irish or British nationality. Under current FIFA rules, this in turn permits association football players from the region to choose whether they represent the Republic of Ireland or NI at international level. I am aware that previous Sports Ministers have written to FIFA on this matter and that the governing body for the sport here, the Irish Football Association (IFA), has appealed the ruling with both FIFA and the Court of Arbitration for Sport. On each occasion FIFA’s ruling has been upheld. I do not, therefore, intend to make any further representations to the relevant authorities. Any change to this ruling would be a matter for the IFA, Football Association of Ireland and FIFA in the first instance.

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Worthington also talks about having to "respect people's decisions". Well, of course, but what would Daniel Kearns make of that?

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Originally Posted by co. down green

I think this a cunning ploy by Worthington to sell his new book to the north's fans

http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/6...mmiesnigel.png

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Aw, I was hoping to make that the title of my book. :p

This is surely the most hilarious thing in a long time.

Who wants to bet that someone had a word in his ear that all of the guff he was spouting was ball cocks?

Was listening to Norman Whiteside on Off the Ball last night and when questioned on the issue of northern born players representing Ireland, he simply and concisely stated: "I respect the right of the individual to choose who they want to play for."

So simple, so straightforward, yet due to the beligerance of the IFA, here we are 631 posts later still discussing it.

You really couldn't credit it.

The sheer audacity of the man. Can he take Paul Butler too if he is still playing?

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Originally Posted by BonnieShels

This is surely the most hilarious thing in a long time.

Who wants to bet that someone had a word in his ear that all of the guff he was spouting was ball cocks?

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The IFA's PR department, no doubt, gave Worthington a briefing before his visit to the other side of the North of Ireland. (It's OK to call it that now; Nigel's doing it.) Anyway, more importantly...

OWC Report #137:

The "North of Ireland" comment didn't go down too well with a few on OWC, naturally. There's also a poll being run on OWC at the moment which asks: "Should players born in Northern Ireland be allowed play in the FAI team?"

So far, a mere 12.31 per cent (8 voters) have voted "yes" whilst a resounding 87.69 per cent (57 votes) have voted "no". To be honest, I find this somewhat surprising, as I had believed that this wasn't an issue for most. I thought the idea of northern-borns switching to the FAI after having played with the IFA was supposed to be the issue. Most seem very confused, although that's come to being taken as a given by now.

Some of the ignorance and ill-will on there, especially that uttered by administrators and moderators, is disconcerting.

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Should players born in NI be allowed to play for the FAI team?

Yes, if they comply with the general principle of the FIFA eligibility rules - i.e. parent or grandparent born in the Republic (e.g. Duffy). No, if there is no such connection (e.g. Gibson, Wilson). Simple as that

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Article 15 is titled "Principle". Article 16, on the other hand, is not a general principle, and even if it was to be claimed that some apparent principle could be implied from it, express rules will always supersede that.

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Players from NORTHERN Ireland should be only eligible for the Republic if they are officially eligible with regards to the FIFA ruling.

They must have links whether it is through grandparents or parents. Several players such as Marc Wilson and Darron Gibson are in no way eligible for the ROI.

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That's actually from a moderator...

As for Alex Bruce, the general wave of opinion seems to be that he can shove it up himself, with a few others arguing that the quality of their side at the minute dictates that they can't really be getting picky and turning such players away. At least it has been recognised by a virtual lone voice of reason - possibly one of our NI posters here? - in what is otherwise a house of madness that accepting Bruce would have the effect of invalidating pretty much every purported grievance that the IFA claimed to have had with the FAI. It completely goes against the principle of opposing the rule which allows players to switch to us and makes the IFA out to be a bit of a laughing stock.

'Jurassic Park' would appear an understatement....
;)

Republic of Ireland defender Alex Bruce could be set to change international allegiance to Northern Ireland.

NI boss Nigel Worthington has confirmed to BBC Sport that he has held discussions with Leeds player Bruce, who has two Republic caps.

Both of Bruce's caps were in friendly games in 2007 and 2008 so he remains eligible for Northern Ireland.

In recent times, several Northern Ireland-born players have switched allegiance south of the border.

These include Manchester United's Darron Gibson, Everton's Shane Duffy, Stoke's Marc Wilson and Preston's Daniel Devine.

Newcastle United left-back Shane Ferguson, who earned a full Northern Ireland cap in a friendly against Italy two years ago, has also indicated in recent weeks that he is considering switching his international allegiance to the Republic.

Bruce was eligible for international football for Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and England, where he was born.

He was called up by Northern Ireland Under-21s but opted to play for the Republic Under-21s instead.

Bruce then made his Republic senior debut against Ecuador in New York in 2007 and played against Poland a year later at Croke Park but he has not represented them during Giovanni Trapattoni's reign.

Continue reading the main story

We want all our players from the North of Ireland to stay in the North of Ireland
Nigel WorthingtonNorthern Ireland manager
He also captained the Republic's B team in a game against Nottingham Forest in 2008.

Northern Ireland manager Worthington said that he would give Bruce "time and space" to make his decision.

"I've just got to be patient like everybody else and see what the outcome is," said Worthington.

"When I spoke to him he's been very enthusiastic."

Previously, Worthington has spoken of his annoyance at Northern Ireland players opting for the Republic but he played down the issue on Tuesday.

"Not that many have gone to the Republic at this moment in time and hopefully that's the way it stays," he added.

"We want all our players from the North of Ireland to stay in the North of Ireland.

"We've got a fantastic young set-up, with players coming through to be part of that. There is a wonderful spirit.

"We will welcome them into our group like we do any other."

Like any other what?

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Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy

'Jurassic Park' would appear an understatement....
;)

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I missed the oddest one of all:

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I think we are deluding ourselves if we believe the FAI policy is ever going to change. I'm convinced no matter what we do - appeals to the CAS, pressure through FIFA, boycotts by fans, etc - they will continue to take our players. They see it as their right to do it and there will be no gentleman's agreement otherwise. But imagine if three or four of their squad defected to us. That would at the very least draw even more attention to the issue, and may even put a wee bit of pressure on them to sort something out. A lot of their players are mainland-born and could easily declare for us.

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Eh? :confused:

Hmm, that's more geographical dyslexia than paleontology....

:rolleyes:

English born, played through the ranks for Ireland and now supposedly wants to play for Northern Ireland. The lad must have serious identity issues.