Eligibility proposal

**geysir** · 18/12/2007, 7:45 PM

Originally Posted by EalingGreen

Again, if the FAI's case is rock-solid, why would FIFA risk wasting everybodys time by even alluding to the possibility of a challenge?

All FIFA legal channels have been exhausted by the IFA. FIFA have nothing more to add except
Andreas Herren said that if there is a real dispute then the IFA will have to go to CAS.
It is the right of a player/member of FIFA, unhappy with an outcome, to be informed of any more options. It's no big secret but with the IFA it probably was, (assume ignornironce).
As Blanchflower has often enough accuratly referred to the weakness of the IFA argument, it looks like FIFA were trying to negotiate a compromise this past year within the current rules. They were not considering to change the rules to allow eg the 'Blanchflower Amendment' to be added to the Annex criteria to widen it to cover those eligible to play for the teams of more than one Association due to their nationality.
That would have been a Congressional matter.

**Newryrep** · 18/12/2007, 8:07 PM

Originally Posted by geysir

All FIFA legal channels have been exhausted by the IFA. FIFA have nothing more to add except
Andreas Herren said that if there is a real dispute then the IFA will have to go to CAS.

what exactly do the CAS adjuicate on ?, the rules of FIFA or what they (CAS)think is fair ?

**geysir** · 18/12/2007, 8:53 PM

Originally Posted by Newryrep

what exactly do the CAS adjuicate on ?, the rules of FIFA or what they (CAS)think is fair ?

They mediate and arbitrate.
I rule out mediation because the third party, us, will not be there.
Arbitration means CAS being a neutral body will try to settle a dispute.
AFAIU they refer to the statutes of the sporting association.

'The responsibilities of such Panels are, int
a. to resolve the disputes that are referred to them through ordinary arbitration ;
b. to resolve through the appeals arbitration procedure disputes concerning the decisions of federations, associations or other sports-related bodies, insofar as the statutes or regulations of the said sports-related bodies or a specific agreement so provide';

**Blanchflower** · 19/12/2007, 8:01 AM

Originally Posted by geysir

... Delaney said that there was no issue with Gibson and never was because he declared before the annex.

What does this mean? What annex? The extension of the 4 criteria to those whose nationality theoretically qualifies them for >1 team was decided in 2003.

Originally Posted by geysir

The question Wells never sought to get an answer for or refused to even acknowledge that he received an answer to was
What are the reasons that FIFA give for not applying the annex criteria to the Irish situation?

Very true.

**Blanchflower** · 19/12/2007, 8:03 AM

Originally Posted by kingdomkerry

Under the GFA all Irish citizens in all 32 counties can claim Irish citezenship therefore they can choose to play for Ireland [sic] if they wish.

Nothing to do with the GFA. People in NI were entitled to Southern citizenship before the GFA.

(Also it's a circular argument to say that "all Irish citizens ... can claim Irish citizenship".)

**Blanchflower** · 19/12/2007, 8:04 AM

Originally Posted by geysir

They mediate and arbitrate.
I rule out mediation because the third party, us, will not be there.
Arbitration means CAS being a neutral body will try to settle a dispute.
AFAIU they refer to the statutes of the sporting association.

'The responsibilities of such Panels are, int
a. to resolve the disputes that are referred to them through ordinary arbitration ;
b. to resolve through the appeals arbitration procedure disputes concerning the decisions of federations, associations or other sports-related bodies, insofar as the statutes or regulations of the said sports-related bodies or a specific agreement so provide';

Would it not require the FAI to consent to the matter being put to the CAS? I'm not sure that unilateral applications are permitted.

**Gather round** · 19/12/2007, 8:26 AM

it's a circular argument to say that "all Irish citizens ... can claim Irish citizenship

Maybe because it would no longer be true to say "all born in Ireland can claim [Republic of] Ireland citizenship"?

I'm pleased to see that the FAI and IFA are meeting early next year for a wide-ranging parley. Hopefully a new bilateral agreement that no-one changes allegiance after being capped at youth or u-21 levels will be on the agenda.

**Not Brazil** · 19/12/2007, 8:31 AM

Originally Posted by Gather round

I'm pleased to see that the FAI and IFA are meeting early next year for a wide-ranging parley. Hopefully a new bilateral agreement that no-one changes allegiance after being capped at youth or u-21 levels will be on the agenda.

The BBC reports that player eligibility will NOT be on the agenda when the two Associations meet in January for their latest "love in".

The spineless wonders at the IFA must be happy just to pretend that it isn't happening.

In fact, they are so devoid of understanding the issue, they think it is done and dusted - and they won.

Inept, Farsical, Absurd.

**Gather round** · 19/12/2007, 8:39 AM

Originally Posted by Not Brazil

In fact, they are so devoid of understanding the issue, they think it is done and dusted - and they won.

Inept, Farsical, Absurd.

They really are useless. When are you and Jimbo Riley launching a putsch to take over?

**Not Brazil** · 19/12/2007, 8:48 AM

Originally Posted by Gather round

They really are useless. When are you and Jimbo Riley launching a putsch to take over?

They couldn't afford our salaries.

**Blanchflower** · 19/12/2007, 8:55 AM

Originally Posted by Not Brazil

The BBC reports that player eligibility will NOT be on the agenda when the two Associations meet in January for their latest "love in".

The spineless wonders at the IFA must be happy just to pretend that it isn't happening.

In fact, they are so devoid of understanding the issue, they think it is done and dusted - and they won.

Inept, Farsical, Absurd.

Shame on them.

**Stuttgart88** · 19/12/2007, 9:02 AM

As a point of principle I can see why you're miffed but is it really likely to have that much significance?

**geysir** · 19/12/2007, 10:19 AM

Originally Posted by Blanchflower

What does this mean? What annex? The extension of the 4 criteria to those whose nationality theoretically qualifies them for >1 team was decided in 2003.

Darron Gibson declared for us before the Annex criteria was drafted in.
http://www.metroeireann.com/index.ph...=602&Itemid=26
FIFA Congress had voted to mandate an emergency committee to draft the Annex, finished 03/2004. Any player whose transfer was approved before that time was not affected.

Would it not require the FAI to consent to the matter being put to the CAS? I'm not sure that unilateral applications are permitted.

The FAI would only be there if they wanted to be a party to mediation.
Therfore this would be an arbitration issue.
I presume it is only the IFA who have an issue with FIFA so it would only be those 2.
FIFA disciplinary proc. states somewhere that any party not happy with a final decision from FIFA have the right to make an appeal to CAS.