Re your first point, I used " " merely because it was a quotation, exactly as with "anywhere in Britain". But I'm quite happy to excise those quotation marks, if you wish.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dodge
As for you second point, the suggested compromise from FIFA makes no reference to players born in England, or anywhere else outwith Ireland. Instead, it specifically refers only to players born in Ireland.
In fact, by my interpretation of the Rules - chiefly that damned Annex - we would be barred by FIFA from picking a player born in England with no connection to NI (or a Maik Taylor, for that matter).
Moreover, the four Home Associations have a written agreement which prevents any of them acting in such a way. This Agreement is recognised by FIFA, who would almost certainly not intervene, should any individual player challenge it.
(In fact, there was a very recent case of a young English-born lad whose family had moved him to Scotland at a young age. He plays for a Scottish club and wanted to declare for Scotland. Despite his having played for Scotland Schools, the English FA objected to his representing Scotland at any higher level, on the basis that the "Home" Agreement states that birthplace overrides all other considerations in case of dispute over eligibility between the four. The SFA accepted this.)
