Eligibility Rules, Okay

**Newryrep** · 16/05/2011, 2:14 PM

Originally Posted by Not Brazil

We also hear noises from other messageboards querying why any "nationalist" would want to play for Northern Ireland.

Never mind quotas, and such guff - if a young "nationalist" player harbours a childhood dream to play for the South, the IFA should leave him to it.

I asked the question why would a nationalist want to play for NI when he could possibly play for the south - it is a totally valid question and one I am still waiting an answer for, you will note I never said 'nationalist background' as it is plainly nonsence as there have been plenty of players from a nationalist background who played for NI. So I will ask again why would a nationalist who by definition neither sees NI as a/their country and would never define himself as northern irish want to play for NI ?

**Not Brazil** · 16/05/2011, 2:25 PM

Originally Posted by Newryrep

I asked the question why would a nationalist want to play for NI when he could possibly play for the south - it is a totally valid question and one I am still waiting an answer for, you will note I never said 'nationalist background' as it is plainly nonsence as there have been plenty of players from a nationalist background who played for NI. So I will ask again why would a nationalist who by definition neither sees NI as a/their country and would never define himself as northern irish want to play for NI ?

I don't know - maybe for footballing reasons?

Any Northern Irish born "nationalist" who wants to play for the South should just go and get on with it.

If they declare an interest in playing for Northern Ireland, not a problem.

The IFA should only ever concern themselves with those who want to play for Northern Ireland.

**ifk101** · 18/05/2011, 7:30 AM

"Devine, however, has rejected the call-up, informing Worthington that he wants to play for the Republic instead, thus exploiting our ‘dual citizenship’ loophole by possessing an Irish passport.

Ironically, the 19-year-old played his youth football with Linfield before moving to Preston — and recently attracted interest from Scottish champions Rangers."

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sp...-16001480.html

Ironically?

**DannyInvincible** · 18/05/2011, 8:17 AM

Hard to believe it's not a parody. Scandalously bad journalism, as usual.

I'll ignore the standard errors.

“If you are born in the country you should be representing that country,” said Worthington.

Funny guy.

“Until people in high places make a firm decision on the circumstances I’m afraid it’s going to continue.”

He must have missed this.

**BonnieShels** · 19/05/2011, 12:03 AM

Massive discussion over on p.ie about Devine. Some Belfast Telegraph sized assumptions being bandied about. Danny, get over there and sort them out.

Can't link it just now.

**DannyInvincible** · 19/05/2011, 1:08 AM

Right on it.

I see a suggestion that Devine might be from a unionist background given he played with Linfield and was "courted" by Rangers at one point. The Belfast Telegraph also saw fit to describe his switch to us as "ironic" due to this. Of course, playing for Linfield of having Rangers interested in signing you doesn't mean you're a unionist or a Protestant; many Catholics have played for Linfield in recent years. Nor should anyone ever use the Belfast Telegraph as an authority on eligibility matters, but that's a given. I suppose if Devine did happen to be from a unionist background, at least it would knock notions of an FAI "sectarian poaching policy" out the window.

**BonnieShels** · 19/05/2011, 7:44 AM

Yeah it would just a poaching policy then.
The ignorance out there is quite something.

**Not Brazil** · 19/05/2011, 8:05 AM

Originally Posted by BonnieShels

The ignorance out there is quite something.

I agree - the ignorance that would assume that a Linfield player must be from a unionist background is quite astounding. Players "from a nationalist background" play for the Club at all age levels. Indeed, the winning goal in the recent Irish Cup Final was scored by a proud Gael (handy player), and former target of Celtic.

We'll not mention his name though, because it might blow Ardee Bhoy's theory on indentification by name out of the water a bit.

**Lionel Ritchie** · 19/05/2011, 9:27 AM

Originally Posted by Not Brazil

We'll not mention his name though, because it might blow Ardee Bhoy's theory on indentification by name out of the water a bit.

We should make a Rumpil Stilskin style guessing game out of it.

is he Kirk Wilson?, Wilson Kirk?, Fyffe Samuels?, Samuel Fyffe? Marshall Hamilton-Kingsley? ...or is it something a bit more "proddy" sounding? Hmmm...

**gastric** · 19/05/2011, 10:48 AM

How about Daniel Adam Shane Wilson- Gibson? Proddy enough?

**ifk101** · 19/05/2011, 1:42 PM

Thankfully somebody has decided to put together a list of names of those not interested in representing the FAI.

http://www.petitiononline.co.uk/peti...sociation/2873

**cornflakes** · 19/05/2011, 1:49 PM

Signee number 153 is interesting

**Charlie Darwin** · 19/05/2011, 2:28 PM

"190. Shane Ferguson (unverified)
Stop calling me. Please. Not interested."

**Lionel Ritchie** · 19/05/2011, 3:26 PM

209. God Almighty
I am unwilling to help you. Or save the queen. Apologies.

:-)

**Sullivinho** · 19/05/2011, 3:36 PM

197. Shane Duffy
I will miss both the Bengal Tiger and Northern Ireland

201. Marc Wilson
Beautiful. I'm emotional............. Just kidding! Kthxbai.

**Predator** · 19/05/2011, 3:59 PM

"FIFA’s ruling has placed our country’s team at a disadvantage faced by no other, namely, every single player eligible to play for us can also be selected by the FAI. The FAI’s shameless exploitation of this rule to the detriment of Northern Ireland teams, and the public statements of its officials vowing to continue and expand this practice, makes cordial relations between the two associations impossible. Our objection is based on a matter of principle, that the selection of players who have played for Northern Ireland at every level - full international included – by the FAI is unethical, opportunistic and, by accident or design, sectarian, and must cease."

The final sentence is ridiculous. Glad to see that this farce of a petition is being lampooned.

**SwanVsDalton** · 19/05/2011, 4:10 PM

On balance I actually think that petition is actually one of the more measured, and reasonable, responses from NI fans to the eligibility issue I've read. Problem is as soon as anyone mentions the word 'sectarian' it just undermines everything else into ridiculousness.

**Mr A** · 19/05/2011, 4:12 PM

Originally Posted by SwanVsDalton

On balance I actually think that petition is actually one of the more measured, and reasonable, responses from NI fans to the eligibility issue I've read. Problem is as soon as anyone mentions the word 'sectarian' it just undermines everything else into ridiculousness.

Yeah, sure everybody knows the FAI hates Cork people, not protestants!

**awec** · 19/05/2011, 7:25 PM

Originally Posted by ifk101

Thankfully somebody has decided to put together a list of names of those not interested in representing the FAI.

http://www.petitiononline.co.uk/peti...sociation/2873

Having read some of the signees of this I can only deduce that you lot are a shower of meddling hoors

**ArdeeBhoy** · 20/05/2011, 12:25 AM

Originally Posted by Not Brazil

the ignorance that would assume that a Linfield player must be from a unionist background is quite astounding. Players "from a nationalist background" play for the Club at all age levels. Indeed, the winning goal in the recent Irish Cup Final was scored by a proud Gael (handy player), and former target of Celtic.

We'll not mention his name though, because it might blow Ardee Bhoy's theory on indentification by name out of the water a bit.

I know they do NB. And good on them and LFC. Shame about some of their fans though.

What's your wider point though? Mark McAllister? One just hopes he doesn't have a distant 'Uncle Jim', or he now not a Unionist??

Originally Posted by Lionel Ritchie

We should make a Rumpil Stilskin style guessing game out of it.

Think you and the Beal-feirste man may have to work a lot harder on any 'comedy' routine....

Concentrate on any 'face saving' petition. Wanna borrow a spade though....