Eligibility Rules, Okay

[The Fly]

Jesus wept.

Looks like I was spot on about that Ulster covenant thing

What he is saying is that NI players qualify to play for NI by virtue of the British citizenship that makes up part of their dual nationality status. All persons born in NI have this dual nationality status no matter which passport they carry. Whilst that may be a mere legal technicality which bears little or no relation to the identity of the player(s) in question, it remains the basis upon which they are able play for NI.

Irish nationality, and Irish nationality alone, does not qualify a player to play for NI. Such a player only qualifies to play for the ROI.

[paul_oshea]

that doesn't make senss tho.James mclean and mcginn etc held Irish passports.the only difference between robbie keane and James mclean - IN the context of ' irishness' - is the place they were born yet 1 of them is clearly eligible to play for NI.

what geysir is saying is that being Irish ajd Irish alone and being born in NI is enough to qualify to play for NI.

fifa dont go through some rigorous checks of pre-requisites amd required documentation

[Closed Account]

If someone, who plays for Northern Ireland, we'll say Niall McGinn for arguments sake, paid the £229 to renounce his British Citizenship (which is given to most born in Northern Ireland, whether they choose or not), would he still be eligible to play for Northern Ireland? I assume not. And of course that would apply to any international footballer renouncing his citizenship of any country.

[The Fly]

that doesn't make senss tho.James mclean and mcginn etc held Irish passports.the only difference between robbie keane and James mclean - IN the context of ' irishness' - is the place they were born yet 1 of them is clearly eligible to play for NI.

what geysir is saying is that being Irish ajd Irish alone and being born in NI is enough to qualify to play for NI.

You're getting confused between identity and citizenship.

If someone, who plays for Northern Ireland, we'll say Niall McGinn for arguments sake, paid the £229 to renounce his British Citizenship (which is given to most born in Northern Ireland, whether they choose or not), would he still be eligible to play for Northern Ireland? I assume not. And of course that would apply to any international footballer renouncing his citizenship of any country.

I imagine that would be the case.

[Not Brazil]

fifa dont go through some rigorous checks of pre-requisites amd required documentation

Good grief.

Their eligibility rules are founded on players holding the nationality of the Association they represesent.

In order to represent the IFA, you need to be a British National.

That is a pre requisite of playing for Northern Ireland.

[Predator]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2...?newsfeed=true

Rory Donnelly, Daniel Lafferty and Shane Ferguson are included in the latest NI squad by Michael O'Neill.

That is a dreadful squad in comparison to Trapattoni's.

[ArdeeBhoy]

It's meaning is that it means he can play for Northern Ireland - quite a meaning, in context, don't you think?

A Republic Of Ireland Passport does not in itself confirm as players eligibility to play for Northern Ireland.

A player can travel on whatever Passport he likes - akin to one of your UK born players traveling on as British Passport.

Did you have any specific examples of Irish players travelling with a British passport?

As FIFA checks aside, can't see how the FAI would allow them to turn out for the Irish team, regardless of whether they are specifically an Irish citizen or not, in your eyes...

[ArdeeBhoy]

The only fact relevant to the discussion is that this proposal has been clearly stated all along, and never involved the FAI, FIFA, CAS or any other sporting body apart from the IFA.

Not withstanding what was pointed out in the last day or so, which the odd person has chosen to ignore!

It's a thread that pertains to the issue of player eligibility, which affects the team he supports. So, his interest is obvious and it's a free board after all.

Hmm, besides this great profound and succinct point above, there is the issue of repetition on a massive scale. Not to mention it seems to be out of touch with most of their, er, remaining fanbase who generally seem to take a more militant view...

[The Fly]

Hmm, besides this great profound and succinct point above, there is the issue of repetition on a massive scale.

It's hardly his fault that some have been a little slow on the uptake.

Not to mention it seems to be out of touch with most of their, er, remaining fanbase who generally seem to take a more militant view...

There's nothing wrong with being, er, ahead of the curve.

[Newryrep]

Have you debritted yourself yet, Newryrep?

now now geysir that sounds suspiciosly like you wouldnt want dual nationals playing for Ireland ? slightly aryan

Since ArdeeBhoy dodged the question what exactly would the worry be if a declaration at 18 was brought in ?

(why cant I post icons ?)

[paul_oshea]

Good grief.

Their eligibility rules are founded on players holding the nationality of the Association they represesent.

In order to represent the IFA, you need to be a British National.

That is a pre requisite of playing for Northern Ireland.

eh, i know a lad who was called up at underage for NI without any passport - didnt need one, was young and hadn't travelled abroad, so hadn't applied. Identity or citizenship didnt matter, he considered himself irish.

[geysir]

What he is saying is that NI players qualify to play for NI by virtue of the British citizenship that makes up part of their dual nationality status. All persons born in NI have this dual nationality status no matter which passport they carry. Whilst that may be a mere legal technicality which bears little or no relation to the identity of the player(s) in question, it remains the basis upon which they are able play for NI.

Irish nationality, and Irish nationality alone, does not qualify a player to play for NI. Such a player only qualifies to play for the ROI.

Yes Fly, I got NB's point straight off. I don't need the explanation as I made it perfectly clear that I understood his point, I do understand that nationality is the core of eligibility. I have been saying that for years.
And my point was that it can bear absolutely no relation to the Irish national identity of the player and Irish nationals born in NI are probably the only players who do not have to produce the passport of the association they represent, to the FIFA match official.


But, Gerry Armstrong is quite welcome to labour the point ad nauseam in one of his inspirational motivating talks, 'that By playing for Northern Ireland, a player is confirming/exercising his British Citizenship'.

[geysir]

now now geysir that sounds suspiciosly like you wouldnt want dual nationals playing for Ireland ? slightly aryan

You may have misunderstood my comment, I was asking if you have taken steps to rinse the stain of British citizenship, to de-nationalise yourself?

Since ArdeeBhoy dodged the question what exactly would the worry be if a declaration at 18 was brought in ?

I'm not worried about some remote possibility what the IFA may chose to do. I suggested that if they did try it, they were much more likely to make a balls of it.
And that proposal ( a declaration of intent at 18) has no limiting factor on the player's right to chose.

In general on the age issue, I have expressed the opinion on numerous occasions (dating back years) that I prefer the power (chose between associations) to lie with the dual national player and not the association. That there was many a player on the ditch who were tied to an association who had no further use for their service. That since Fifa altered the rules, those players are now free to declare for the other association. And that a senior competitive cap is the binding contract, the genuine sign (at that time and place) that an association has a use for the player.

[ArdeeBhoy]

It's hardly his fault that some have been a little slow on the uptake.

Including the sharpest poster on this MB.
Yeah, right.

There's nothing wrong with being, er, ahead of the curve.

More like being out on a limb. And why repeat the same point incessantly when only around 3 other people are interested?

now now geysir that sounds suspiciosly like you wouldnt want dual nationals playing for Ireland ?

Since ArdeeBhoy dodged the question what exactly would the worry be if a declaration at 18 was brought in ?

(why cant I post icons ?)

What question?

Though if it's what I think you allude to, I believe FIFA say you can declare at any age, not withstanding a full competitive cap.
Why deny that freedom to anyone, anywhere?

If the North are so bothered, then they can give all these schoolboys or youths a full cap and be done with it.
Chances are they won't be any worse than their current players...

The End.

[Newryrep]

You may have misunderstood my comment, I was asking if you have taken steps to rinse the stain of British citizenship, to de-nationalise yourself?

Never particularily thought about it TBH I doubt many have, I am confident enough in who I am so dont particularily see the need for it and thats without going into the financial mess re pensions, NI contributions etc. If some view me as some sort of inferior irishman then so be it, I couldnt really care less. Much like the erections of flags (apart from Euro 2012 of course) it smacks of insecurity

[Newryrep]

Though if it's what I think you allude to, I believe FIFA say you can declare at any age, not withstanding a full competitive cap.
Why deny that freedom to anyone, anywhere?

If the North are so bothered, then they can give all these schoolboys or youths a full cap and be done with it.
Chances are they won't be any worse than their current players...

The End.

the question was and it was a soley in an irish context if a declaration at 18 was required what exactly would you be worried about ?

[ArdeeBhoy]

I'm not worried remotely. Why would it ever be practiced, er, 'solely in a Irish context'?

Though I have no time for the morons in FIFA generally, this is one edict I happen to agree with. Put it down to my marginal libertarianism.

[bwagner]

at least 7 catholics in that team -

[Newryrep]

I'm not worried remotely. Why would it ever be practiced, er, 'solely in a Irish context'?

Though I have no time for the morons in FIFA generally, this is one edict I happen to agree with. Put it down to my marginal libertarianism.

Trust me I was absolutely delighted with the CAS ruling and took great umbrage at the IFA actively seeking to prevent me playing for my country ( In theory only)

I mention it in an irish context as it is a little unique that ALL possible players for NI are eligible for us with the exception of the those qualifying through the education rule who may have no link to Ireland (32 counties)

[ArdeeBhoy]

Fair enough.

They should just be grateful they have a team due to an historical anachronism and lump it.