Eligibility Rules, Okay

**Not Brazil** · 01/02/2012, 7:27 PM

Originally Posted by geysir

He hasn't been capped for the FAI, so all he (or his manager) would have to do, is inform the IFA that he's available for selection.

It seems he has represented the FAI - see above.

**Closed Account** · 01/02/2012, 8:08 PM

Originally Posted by Not Brazil

It seems he has represented the FAI - see above.

http://web.archive.org/web/200103041...s/Under18.html
The only appearance I could find mentioned is in a friendly against Germany in 1999, he definately didn't appear on the pitch in any of the 4 U18 qualifiers ROI played in 1999, so I doubt he is tied to the FAI, hence he wouldn't need to request a change of association.
He still should approach the IFA if he wants to play for NI, he's a 30 year old man ffs.

**geysir** · 01/02/2012, 8:12 PM

If wikipedia don't record it, then it never really happened anyway.

Were okay for goalies, ye can have Doherty.

**Not Brazil** · 01/02/2012, 9:08 PM

Originally Posted by joe_denilson

http://web.archive.org/web/200103041...s/Under18.html
The only appearance I could find mentioned is in a friendly against Germany in 1999, he definately didn't appear on the pitch in any of the 4 U18 qualifiers ROI played in 1999, so I doubt he is tied to the FAI, hence he wouldn't need to request a change of association.

Are you suggesting that if he's not tied, he doesn't have to switch?

That's nonsensical.

For example, McClean wasn't tied to Northern Ireland, but he had to switch Associations to represent the South.

**Closed Account** · 01/02/2012, 9:20 PM

Originally Posted by Not Brazil

Are you suggesting that if he's not tied, he doesn't have to switch?

That's nonsensical.

For example, McClean wasn't tied to Northern Ireland, but he had to switch Associations to represent the South.

? McClean was tied by virtue of playing in an official competition at international level. (e.g UEFA qualifier U17-19-21).
If you've only played friendlies(at youth level) for a certain country, you don't have to request a change of association. I don't think that's nonsensical.

**ArdeeBhoy** · 01/02/2012, 10:10 PM

Exactly. Read about all those Qataris, Portugese et al way back up thread.

Most of them just seemed to have played and not bothered their ass with anything else...

**geysir** · 02/02/2012, 12:35 AM

And we thought you were here to open up your mind and get edgercated, Not Brazil. Life's too short to be wasting your time here

How do you think Tony Kane could be capped for NI, then be capped for ROI and then back again to play for NI?

**ArdeeBhoy** · 02/02/2012, 12:43 AM

Sure anybody and everybody can play for everybody...

**Not Brazil** · 02/02/2012, 7:55 AM

Originally Posted by geysir

How do you think Tony Kane could be capped for NI, then be capped for ROI and then back again to play for NI?

There were different rules in place when Tony Kane was flip flopping.

**Not Brazil** · 02/02/2012, 7:57 AM

Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy

Sure anybody and everybody can play for everybody...

No, they can't.

**ArdeeBhoy** · 02/02/2012, 8:14 AM

It's a p*ss-take of FIFA, FFS.

Read the whole thread.

**DannyInvincible** · 02/02/2012, 9:08 AM

Originally Posted by Not Brazil

There were different rules in place when Tony Kane was flip flopping.

With regard to the number of times a player could switch association, the wording was different but effect/meaning was the same as it is today.

**geysir** · 02/02/2012, 10:26 AM

Yep, it has been cast in stone since Jan 2004 that a player can only change once.
Kane played underage for NI before dandering down South in 2006, from where he defected/returned to the fold, in 2007.
Not Brazil, you need to brush up on the eligibility statutes

The debate has long since moved on to FIFA's flip flop wording of 'a player may only once request a change' and 'a player may only change once'.

**DannyInvincible** · 02/02/2012, 1:56 PM

The DUP's Dianne Dodds raised the eligibility issue in the European Parliament yesterday during a discussion on the Report on the European Dimension in Sport.

Video here: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/...1328132566045#

She seems to believe it is appropriate to raise the issue of "naturalisations of convenience" in this context. Dismissing in such terms the Irish nationality of players who opt to play for the FAI is an insult. I don't know if she's going out of her way to offend or if she's just a bit thick.

**The Fly** · 02/02/2012, 1:57 PM

Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

I don't know if she's going out of her way to offend or if she's just a bit thick.

A combination of both I'd say.

**ifk101** · 02/02/2012, 2:39 PM

Our friend Sam (Hello

) just keeps on delivering

Heard an interesting story about James McLean from a very reliable source prior to his switch to the FAI. Not only pressure from the FAI but pressure from other bodies and groups.

http://niandthebeautifulgame.weebly.....html#comments

**Charlie Darwin** · 02/02/2012, 2:44 PM

Was it the KKK?

**BonnieShels** · 02/02/2012, 2:58 PM

Danny, I noted you spelt it Elite Player Menor (sic). we all know it's spelt NENTOR!

well done lad. But seriously, Get some sleep!

**DannyInvincible** · 02/02/2012, 3:02 PM

Originally Posted by ifk101

Our friend Sam (Hello

) just keeps on delivering

http://niandthebeautifulgame.weebly.....html#comments

Interesting indeed. I'd like some clarification on this as Gary McAllister made a similar accusation the other week on Twitter, stating that "elements" were pressurising, abusing, intimidating and maybe even threatening players out of playing for the IFA/into playing for the FAI. Are they referring to political organisations or even paramilitary groups or what? And Sam wants to report Foot.ie to the police?!