Eligibility Rules, Okay

[Newryrep]

Yes, any player born in Northern Ireland can play for the FAI or the IFA's representaives sides, subject to the "switching" rules.

However, we can rest easy in the knowledge that if we ever cap an underage player for Northern Ireland who was born in England to English parents and with English grandparents, but was eligible because he received compulsory continous education in Northern Ireland, that he can't switch.

Probably more relevent to Wales and Scotland ( think they have a guy at Celtic son of ex asylum seeker ?)as lets face it who in their right mind would move here with no connection to the place.

Still you could always mention it to Gerry as a cunning masterplan when he is over in the 'mainland' working for the IFA

[Not Brazil]

Probably more relevent to Wales and Scotland ( think they have a guy at Celtic son of ex asylum seeker ?)as lets face it who in their right mind would move here with no connection to the place.

Still you could always mention it to Gerry as a cunning masterplan when he is over in the 'mainland' working for the IFA

Something tells me the British Associations have agreed to stick by their "Gentleman's Agreement" to only select British Nationals, otherwise eligible, on the basis of a blood line.

I can understand your sentiments about folk settling in Northern Ireland but, honestly, there's some very nice places here - once you get out of Newry.

Maybe Gerry should be recalled from the mainland, and given a mission of sussing out the boarding schools in Northern Ireland.

[Not Brazil]

I know its the BBc but

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...ls/8302195.stm

Dug up another example Newryrep.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...an/8731562.stm

And further comment here:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/foo...sociation.html

As you say, probably more relevent to Scotland & Wales.

[co. down green]

Still you could always mention it to Gerry as a cunning masterplan when he is over in the 'mainland' working for the IFA

Gerry 'mainland' Armstrong

[Not Brazil]

Gerry 'mainland' Armstrong

Some quite remarkable comments from Armstrong in this article, particularly in relation to Shane Ferguson.

http://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/fo...rong_1_2989896

“With regards Shane there isn’t a problem. A lot of people speculated that he was heading south, and the FAI wanted him. But Shane is very content and happy with how things are. He has never had any doubt over who he wants to play with, and both me and Steve Beaglehole (Under 21 boss) have spoken to the lad and everyone is happy.”

He even mentions "the mainland".

Edit: Lee Ryder (Newcastle Chronicle Chief Sports Writer & NUFC Correspondent) tweeting that Ferguson is set to stay with Northern Ireland.

http://twitter.com/#!/lee_ryder

[DannyInvincible]

My, you were cranky this morning DI.

To cut to the chase, in response to your, somewhat emotional, rant.

I'm happier I got that off my back.

The intent behind an insult is to intrude upon the emotions of others, after all. And, frankly, I do actually think you're a better poster than having to resort to chicanery.

So, in the interests of a brighter future for all of us, I was prepared to to forgive (for want of a better expression) the past, and "move on".

I will not, however, forget - or bow to those who wish to, conveniently, sweep the history of The Provisional Movement under the carpet.

I remain supportive of the current power sharing arrangements we have in Northern Ireland

However much you sream, whinge, kick up, gurn etc, I will not be changing my opinions about the Provisional Movement (Provos).

I know your own feelings on Sinn Féin and the PIRA, or the Provisional Movement, if you wish. You're fully entitled to your own moral judgment on their outlook, past and present. That was never really my issue though. You focused on it to divert attention from that; what I perceived as an attempted defence of an idiot on OWC dubbing McClean a "provo" for the reasons I outlined in my previous post. At least, that's how I saw it. Anyway, I made my point. I'm sure you understand even if a condemnation won't be forthcoming. I'll leave it at that. I doubt people are too keen on reading about it.

I would recommend you read "The Provos: The IRA and Sinn Fein" by Peter Taylor.

Funnily enough, I watched his trilogy series of documentaries on YouTube fairly recently; 'Provos', 'Loyalists' and 'Brits'. Obviously things have moved on a bit politically since they were produced, but they're still well worth a watch. I think they twinned his books on each.

[Not Brazil]

Funnily enough, I watched his trilogy series of documentaries on YouTube fairly recently; 'Provos', 'Loyalists' and 'Brits'. Obviously things have moved on a bit politically since they were produced, but they're still well worth a watch. I think they twinned his books on each.

You're right DI - books available on all three.

Well worth a read/watch.

[Mr_Parker]

Incorrect.

Several players who do not have a British Passport play for the IFA representive teams - the IFA being a British Association.

And the stubbornness and foot dragging by the IFA when this point raised its head with the Sammy Clingon case, imo, re-ignited and compounded much of the current problems the IFA face in regards to players decisions.

[SwanVsDalton]

And the stubbornness and foot dragging by the IFA when this point raised its head with the Sammy Clingon case, imo, re-ignited and compounded much of the current problems the IFA face in regards to players decisions.

Excuse me if this is old news and has been gone over already but what's the Sammy Clingan case?

[DannyInvincible]

I'm assuming Clingan is one of those players who plays for NI in the possession of just an Irish passport. Formerly, possession of a passport of the particular country for whom you were representing was required by FIFA as proof of the relevant player's nationality or eligibility to play for a particular association. A few years ago, the IFA argued to FIFA that this had the effect of ruling out players eligible for them who possessed just an Irish passport. They requested that FIFA recognise the eligibility of certain players in possession of just an Irish passport and FIFA seemed to make an exception for them after initially turning away their request.

So, the situation now is that IFA players are entitled to possess an Irish passport for travel and identification purposes but the IFA have to otherwise ascertain and certify for FIFA their eligibility, or their British nationality (for official purposes) in other words.

Not sure exactly what stubbornness and foot-dragging Mr_Parker is referring to though. Presumably it took them a while to act on the issue and lodge a request with FIFA. Maybe he can go into further detail.

[Newryrep]

Something tells me the British Associations have agreed to stick by their "Gentleman's Agreement" to only select British Nationals, otherwise eligible, on the basis of a blood line.

I can understand your sentiments about folk settling in Northern Ireland but, honestly, there's some very nice places here - once you get out of Newry.

Maybe Gerry should be recalled from the mainland, and given a mission of sussing out the boarding schools in Northern Ireland.

the celtic guy plays/played for the Scottish underage side his only connection to Scotland is his education/residencey, I assume he has a british passport due to him/his parent being granted asylum - I assume it was the education bit that qualifiys him

anyway, some lovely places near Newry,..................... Carlingford for example

NB - the tweet references NI sources - given their track record I wouldnt be popping the champagne just yet

[DannyInvincible]

Just something related to the earlier talk of a gentleman's agreement between the four British associations; isn't article 6 of the Regulations Governing the Application of the Statutes what people are really referring to when they mention such an agreement or is there something more to it that is unwritten relating to a player's education? The regulations mention absolutely nothing about players having to satisfy five years of education or whatever the supposed criterion is, although I am aware there is an added clause outlining that item (d) of article 6 (which specifies a requirement for two years of residence) can be either deleted completely or amended to specify a longer length of time with the agreement of all the associations and FIFA's executive committee.

[Mr_Parker]

I'm assuming Clingan is one of those players who plays for NI in the possession of just an Irish passport. Formerly, possession of a passport of the particular country for whom you were representing was required by FIFA as proof of the relevant player's nationality or eligibility to play for a particular association. A few years ago, the IFA argued to FIFA that this had the effect of ruling out players eligible for them who possessed just an Irish passport. They requested that FIFA recognise the eligibility of certain players in possession of just an Irish passport and FIFA seemed to make an exception for them after initially turning away their request.

So, the situation now is that IFA players are entitled to possess an Irish passport for travel and identification purposes but the IFA have to otherwise ascertain and certify for FIFA their eligibility, or their British nationality (for official purposes) in other words.

Not sure exactly what stubbornness and foot-dragging Mr_Parker is referring to though. Presumably it took them a while to act on the issue and lodge a request with FIFA. Maybe he can go into further detail.

Yes that's what I am talking about. It started when a match delegate got his knickers in twist over some NI players having Irish Passports. Rather than looking into it properly, the IFA then told players that they must get a UK one and got quite arsey about it with the players. Questions were raised and the politicians got involved. It was then put across that it was a FIFA requirement etc, iirc, by the IFA who ultimately spun it that they, the IFA, had fought on the players behalf and won the day.

However, a simple read at the FIFA and UEFA regs at the time would have saved a lot of hassle. They do not require passports other than for players to prove their identity, not their nationality.

[DannyInvincible]

Some quite remarkable comments from Armstrong in this article, particularly in relation to Shane Ferguson.

http://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/fo...rong_1_2989896

“With regards Shane there isn’t a problem. A lot of people speculated that he was heading south, and the FAI wanted him. But Shane is very content and happy with how things are. He has never had any doubt over who he wants to play with, and both me and Steve Beaglehole (Under 21 boss) have spoken to the lad and everyone is happy.”

He even mentions "the mainland".

Edit: Lee Ryder (Newcastle Chronicle Chief Sports Writer & NUFC Correspondent) tweeting that Ferguson is set to stay with Northern Ireland.

http://twitter.com/#!/lee_ryder

Regardless of what Armstrong claims, Ferguson has obviously doubted his willingness to represent the IFA. He has been in a state of doubt since April or May. Will you be welcoming him into NI squads in future if what Armstrong says otherwise is accurate?

[Not Brazil]

item (d) of article 6 (which specifies a requirement for two years of residence) can be either deleted completely or amended to specify a longer length of time with the agreement of all the associations and FIFA's executive committee.

Is the 2 year residence clause an amendment in the August 2011 Statutes - wasn't it previously five years residence since becoming 18?

Edit: Looked it up - 5 years relates to players "acquiring a new Nationality".

[Not Brazil]

Regardless of what Armstrong claims, Ferguson has obviously doubted his willingness to represent the IFA. He has been in a state of doubt since April or May. Will you be welcoming him into NI squads in future if what Armstrong says otherwise is accurate?

I'll await confirmation of what's going on - I think Gerry might be jumping the gun.

I look forward to Ferguson's comments on the matter.

[drummerboy]

One of Ferguson's parents is Scottish and he has been sounded out by Craig Levein, hence the delay in making up his mind.

[Predator]

One of Ferguson's parents is Scottish and he has been sounded out by Craig Levein, hence the delay in making up his mind.

I have spoken to a couple of relatives on the matter and, although it's not conclusive, they never even mentioned Scotland as a possibility. On that basis I doubt that he'll play for Scotland.

[DannyInvincible]

Is the 2 year residence clause an amendment in the August 2011 Statutes - wasn't it previously five years residence since becoming 18?

Edit: Looked it up - 5 years relates to players "acquiring a new Nationality".

The August 2011 version is identical with regard to eligibility as far as I can see. The articles have just been numbered 5-8 now rather than 15-18. Still, this talk of "players with five years of compulsory education in the specified country" that is mentioned in the articles above doesn't appear in any published set of rules or regulations. Or does it?

In that BBC article about Andrew Driver, it states:

Although he attended school in Scotland, he did not fulfil the criteria as set out in Fifa's rules which stated that: "the player has undertaken primary and/or secondary education for a minimum of five years in the territory of the relevant association".

That disqualified Driver from playing for Scotland.

However, on Wednesday the wording was amended to allow players who have "engaged in a minimum of five years' education under the age of 18 within the territory of the relevant association".

I have never seen anything of the sort in FIFA's rulebook. Is the BBC mistaken, or is it referring to some additional set of rules?

[Not Brazil]

The August 2011 version is identical with regard to eligibility as far as I can see. The articles have just been numbered 5-8 now rather than 15-18. :

I have never seen anything of the sort in FIFA's rulebook. Is the BBC mistaken, or is it referring to some additional set of rules?

You're absolutely right DI - the residency rule is different for players whose Nationality entitles them to play for more than one Association (2 years), and players who acquire a new Nationality (5 years).

I'm with you - the "education" clause is a new one on me - I can't find reference to it in any FIFA documentation?