Really? Surely the existence of united rugby (x2), cricket, hockey, boxing, golf teams merely fuels it. And highlights a relative absurdity, not least that Britain has 4 teams as a sovereign state instead of the usual one.
Begs the question why the FAI bucked the trend in Irish sport.Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy
Although, in fairness to you, the likelihood of an "All United Kingdom" team is more likely than a, singular, All Ireland team. Both will be robustly resisted by Northern Ireland fans.
Last edited by Not Brazil; 10/02/2012 at 10:57 PM.
The Englishmen came over in the year 2005
But little did they know that we'd planned a wee surprise
Sir David scored the winner, and Windsor Park went wild
And this is what we sang...
"Football eligibility rule 'causing resentment'": http://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/loc...ment_1_3507680
What does this one win?:
If so, [McClean] would follow in the footsteps of fellow Londonderry player Darron Gibson and others in taking advantage of a loophole in the Good Friday Agreement which provides for Northern Ireland-born people to claim either British or Irish nationality.
That's bad alright. McClean shouldn't be made suffer for the FAI's perceived failings with regard to youth development.
Contradicting himself somewhat.The only time the FAI ever had any input into McLean’s [sic] career was when he played for Derry City in the League of Ireland. Other than that admittedly crucial stage in his development, everything else that went into making this guy the player he is was down to the structures and coaching available in Northern Ireland.
Most Irish players born outside of the Irish state who opt to play for the FAI do so from youth levels upward, so the general claim that the FAI "swoop" at a later date doesn't hold water.Against this background, it’s easy to see why Northern Ireland and Scotland are getting annoyed. They invest hugely in their coaching structures and in their competitions in order to afford their players the opportunity to learn and grow. Then they watch the Republic of Ireland swoop in and take advantage of all the work they put in. Essentially, the FAI are the magpies of underage football, waiting and watching before prowling. Yes, we know it’s legal and players can pick and choose their national allegiances within the rules but there’s something even more worrying here.
He should probably pay closer attention to the players actually making our squads. Plenty have LOI roots/came through our youth system.Why aren’t there more players born in the Republic of Ireland coming through to star for Premier League clubs and to knock on the doors of the international squad? How come a tiny place like Northern Ireland can produce McLean and Duffy (and even Darron Gibson now that he looks like becoming a player again!) in such a short spell? What are the Scots doing so right than they end up bringing forth the likes of McGeady and McCarthy? Aside from Seamus Coleman, where are the Irish equivalents? Where are the Roy Keanes, the Damien Duffs and the Robbie Keanes of this generation? Are they there at all or do we have to wait for Northern Ireland to put in more work so the FAI can pick the low-hanging fruit?
Danny,
Nigel Dodds is a clever boy.
Obviously not on football issues.
He states he will be urging the British & Irish Governments to overturn the ruling.
I think we all can agree that it is not in the gift of the British or Irish Goverments to overturn such rulings.
Last edited by Not Brazil; 10/02/2012 at 11:32 PM.
The Englishmen came over in the year 2005
But little did they know that we'd planned a wee surprise
Sir David scored the winner, and Windsor Park went wild
And this is what we sang...
Maybe he's expecting the Irish government to amend their legislation on citizenship.
I suspect he'll be expecting a while, if that's the case.
The Englishmen came over in the year 2005
But little did they know that we'd planned a wee surprise
Sir David scored the winner, and Windsor Park went wild
And this is what we sang...
By the way, I sent this to FIFA
and got this backSubject: Eligiblity to play for Representative teams
Dear Sir or Madam,
I have a question regarding the 'Eligiblity to play for Representative teams' in the FIFA Statutes, particularly the 'Change of Association'.
After an association has submitted the appropriate request to FIFA declaring the a player wants to change association. When does the change come into effect? Is is when FIFA approves the request or when the player makes a competitive appearance for his new association?
I guess what I'm asking, is, if Player A, makes a request to change from Association A to Association B and the request is approved, can Player A change his mind and play for Association A again?
If not, how did Bobby Zamora play for Eng U21(in competition), declare for Trinidad and Tobago, not make an appearance, then subsequently play for England Seniors?
Kindest Regards
joe_denilson
I'll let DI read between the lines, but the emboldened lines read rather conclusive.Dear Mr. _denilson,
Thank you for your enquiry.
We can answer your question as follows:
If a player has changed associations, but never played for the other association (youth matches not included as they are not counting as senior caps) he can switch to the other one again. Meaning, as long as a player has not played for any senior side he can switch associations as long as he wants to. Besides that, a change comes into effect when FIFA approves it.
Hopefully we have successfully responded to your query.
Thank you for your interest.
Kind regards,
*****
Communications & Public Affairs Division
FIFA - Fédération Internationale de Football Association
www.FIFA.com
Wouldn't this involve a referendum? I can't imagine this occuring, and God help me, I have to agree with NB, this wouldn't solve the issue under FIFA statutes. Therefore, any such talks can't achieve anything. Is it just possibly that a politician is doing this to garner support? Shock horror!
that he didn't play for NI?
That he did.that he didn't play for NI?
The Englishmen came over in the year 2005
But little did they know that we'd planned a wee surprise
Sir David scored the winner, and Windsor Park went wild
And this is what we sang...
So, you can flip flop until you have not played a senior International match, as often as you like?
The Englishmen came over in the year 2005
But little did they know that we'd planned a wee surprise
Sir David scored the winner, and Windsor Park went wild
And this is what we sang...
Well the response is from "Communications & Public Affairs Division" so I wouldn't take it as gospel.
It'd self regulate anyway, NI (Tony Kane aside) wouldn't take a flip flopper would they? The FAI would take anyone though.
That's not what the rules say. Puzzling response, but I think that individual is mistaken. I can only assume they meant to refer to competitive games rather than senior games and that it is actually playing in a competitive fixture for the new association rather than requesting a change and having it approved that effects the switch.
It is somewhat concerning when FIFA respondents are not sure about their own rules.
The Englishmen came over in the year 2005
But little did they know that we'd planned a wee surprise
Sir David scored the winner, and Windsor Park went wild
And this is what we sang...
Probably explains the in/famous quote attributed to John Delaney about winning the "battle" for Gibson but not the eligibility "war" all those years ago.
NB, One of your recent posts has highlighted one of the fundamental points of difference between us in regards to this issue. I personally have no regrets over players representing us and then later changing their decisions. Three players I mentioned recently - Bruce, Lowry and Ireland plus McGinty and Keane have done so and I respect them for at least giving us a go.
I do regret that S Ireland has decided to be insulting at times about representing Ireland and McCLean's recent public claims of regretting representing NI. Such a statement is insulting to the IFA who were willing to give him an opportunity. Maybe our attitudes are different because of the bigger impact this has had on NI, but it is at the heart of my feelings on this contentious issue.
Last edited by gastric; 11/02/2012 at 1:36 AM.
Ah, you shouldn't have said that.
You'll set him off again...
Martin O’Neill , ultimately, feels the final decision has to be left with the individual player.
Read more: http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/k...#ixzz1m2ZmCDBh
Martin goes on to say that "No matter what tendency you might have yourself, you have to give the individual that choice. I never had that choice. "
Did he have a choice?
Back in Martin's day the people of Northern Ireland were expected (or jump to) to do what the unionist politicians prescribed.
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