Player eligibility row

[Lionel Ritchie]

Of course, but as its purpose is mainly to get on TV and irritate RoI fans, it doesn't really matter whether it shows home or away.

There's some evidence it's not reaching its target demographic -unless my reaction is to be considered a result.

haha that's pretty good actually

Hand of Prod was funnier though.

I actually find it quite funny. Don't see anything in it that's even remotely offensive.

I believe the IFA said it was racist. But what do you expect from them, eh?

Really? Them IFA lads do come up with some bewildering rationale from time to time they really do.

[Gather round]

There's some evidence it's not reaching its target demographic -unless my reaction is to be considered a result

Some people on the thread are irritated , some aren't. The IFA are, therefore it's a story in the local media. Which, in its small way, is a 'result'. They have certainly over-reacted even if you haven't, just the latest in a long line of misjudgements and admin inefficiency (for anyone still awake, they still haven't replied to my letter from the weekend of the CAS judgement asking them to justify going to law and how they planned to resolve the issue in future).

[geysir]

??
The issue has been resolved and CAS have confirmed it.

[Gather round]

??
The issue has been resolved and CAS have confirmed it

The issue of the IFA's dealings with the FAI generally, and specifically what they do next time the FAI select a player with numerous NI U-21 or U-19 caps. I mean, if they simply intend to do nothing, they could have told us that back in August.

[geysir]

It's the player who choses to offer himself for selection to the FAI.
What do you want the IFA to do, make a futile assertion of their ownership (croppies lie down)?
interfere with the kid's decision?

The FAI are not going to step back from the basic right of Irish people to play for what they regard as their representative team.
Nor did they ever renege on that right

[Gather round]

It's the player who choses to offer himself for selection to the FAI. What do you want the IFA to do, make a futile assertion of their ownership (croppies lie down)? interfere with the kid's decision?

The FAI are not going to step back from the basic right of Irish people to play for what they regard as their representative team. Nor did they ever renege on that right

I want the IFA to keep gently pressing the FAI not to pick any players who've already played for NI teams as an adult. As I think you know.

What's with the Croppies Lie Down thing? Is it folkies night in the Akureyri Irish bar?

[geysir]

Does everything have to be spelled out for you?
Croppy lie down - It's a reference to ownership 'our kids'

I thought you were wondering/expecting on how the IFA "planned to resolve the issue in future"
The issue has been resolved.
Re a separate issue on how do the IFA respond from here on in -
you offer "I want the IFA to keep gently pressing the FAI not to pick any players who've already played for NI teams as an adult"
Considering that the IFA have been raising hissy fits for years and the FAI have stood firm - I doubt gentle pressing will make any impression.
The IFA do not even understand the question.

[Charlie Darwin]

Why would anybody voluntarily decide not to pick players who've represented other countries at U19/21 level? The rule was specifically brought in to help small nations like ours.

[Gather round]

Don't be like that, G. I know what Croppies lies down means- the worst sort of cliched, self-pitying mopery. It's obviously irrelevant to anything I've said, so why bring it up?

I'm less negative than you about the possibility of a small compromise in the IFA's favor. Which is all it is- doesn't stop anyone from playing for the team of their choice.

Sure, the IFA are pretty hapless at present. I'm confident that will change for the better soon.

[Gather round]

Why would anybody voluntarily decide not to pick players who've represented other countries at U19/21 level? The rule was specifically brought in to help small nations like ours.

Not so. It was brought in to ensure votes from Francophone countries in West Africa (many of which, like Algeria, are only small in the sense of being less good at football than the European country where most of their emigrants go).

I've answered this repeatedly above. It's broadly worth the FAI's while to have good working relationship with IFA. In case they need support to stage a showpiece final or tournament, say. Or just in case we'rew drawn to play in future competition. Or at the most trivial level, to avoid banner warfare at games?

[geysir]

Don't be like that, G. I know what Croppies lies down means- the worst sort of cliched, self-pitying mopery. It's obviously irrelevant to anything I've said, so why bring it up?

It was a reference to keep your hands off OUR kids - nothing you wrote.

[Gather round]

It was a reference to keep your hands off OUR kids - nothing you wrote.

Ah, right. It must have been that it was in direct response to what I wrote that threw me.

[co. down green]

The IFA don't seem to have any issues in selecting players who have represented other countries, perhaps they will send a letter to the Canadian Soccer Association apologising for selecting their u17 international Caolan Lavery last week.

Perhaps the CSA will seek a compromise from the IFA over future player selection?

Sounds ridiculous, does it not?

[Charlie Darwin]

Not so. It was brought in to ensure votes from Francophone countries in West Africa (many of which, like Algeria, are only small in the sense of being less good at football than the European country where most of their emigrants go).

I've answered this repeatedly above. It's broadly worth the FAI's while to have good working relationship with IFA. In case they need support to stage a showpiece final or tournament, say. Or just in case we'rew drawn to play in future competition. Or at the most trivial level, to avoid banner warfare at games?

Votes schmotes. The principle is sound.

It's difficult to see what the FAI could gain from this voluntary concession. We have, at worst, a symbiotic relationship with the IFA which, for all the huff and puff, hasn't affect the NI football establishment enough to miss out on this Celtic Cup money-making opportunity.

[Stuttgart88]

It's broadly worth the FAI's while to have good working relationship with IFA. In case they need support to stage a showpiece final

Like the one they're hosting in May 2011?

[Gather round]

.....

[Gather round]

Sounds ridiculous, does it not?

Not necessarily ridiculous, just unlikely. NI are more disadvantaged by the current FIFA rules than Canada, the RoI or almost anyone else. It's just circumstance, largely as a result of the way the border was drawn. But because of that disadvantage you can expect us to a) be cheesed off and b) hopefully try to keep all our players through to competitive senior games. By 'our' all I mean is guys who've played for our adult teams as adults, ie over 18.

As I said I think in direct answer to you up-thread, I don't want to the NI side to be bulked out by English players, as in the past. Not because I hate or don't understand the disapora, before Ardee Bhoy comes back on thread; I just think it makes international football look a bit daft. If I wanted to watch a team of Englishmen, I'd support England.

So yes, I don't think we should be capping that Canadian kid.

It's difficult to see what the FAI could gain from this voluntary concession. We have, at worst, a symbiotic relationship with the IFA which, for all the huff and puff, hasn't affect the NI football establishment enough to miss out on this Celtic Cup money-making opportunity

It's quite easy to see, and I've explained it repeatedly. Of course I don't expect it necessarily to happen next Tuesday, nor you personally to agree with it, but you can't please everyone.

Like the one they're hosting in May 2011?

Aye. I'm assuming you're hoping it'll be the first of many?

[Charlie Darwin]

It's quite easy to see, and I've explained it repeatedly. Of course I don't expect it necessarily to happen next Tuesday, nor you personally to agree with it, but you can't please everyone.

It's actually quite difficult to see why the FAI would do something that's to their obvious disadvantage and which they haven't shown any inclination to do thusfar, especially as their conduct to date has had no negative effects and has coincide with a stronger relationship between the two associations.

I just don't understand what you think the IFA's bargaining position is.

[geysir]

Beggarly,
of course.

[ifk101]

It's quite easy to see, and I've explained it repeatedly. Of course I don't expect it necessarily to happen next Tuesday, nor you personally to agree with it, but you can't please everyone.

Lest we forget the IFA took the FAI to court on a founding of lies and deception. Even if there existed an incentive for the FAI to compromise with the IFA, do you think the FAI would be willing to place any weight of trust in agreements made with the IFA? After all this is an association that conveniently forgets previous agreements made with the FAI and invents its own to suit its needs .....