Eligibility Rules, Okay

[DannyInvincible]

But all this should not matter in the long run to Namibia's cause.
as
Nations Cup rules
Article 36.12 states that a team which allows a 'non-qualified or a suspended player to take part in group matches shall lose the match by penalty (3-0), even in the absence of protests/reservations'.

If Zengue is found to have been "non-qualified", that would mean that Namibia technically should have topped their qualification group with 9 points to Burkina Faso's/Gambia's 4 points, thereby qualifying automatically for the 2012 African Cup of Nations, no?

Not exactly up-to-date, but two notes of interest:

The Namibia Football Association made a formal complaint that Burkina Faso fielded an ineligible player, Yaoundé-born Herve Xavier Zengue, in the games on March 26 and June 4. Burkina Faso coach Paulo Duarte says that the player is eligible as he has a Burkinabé wife. CAF opened an investigation, but later dismissed the protest saying it was filed long after the stipulated period for such appeals.

Namibia have indicated that they will appeal the decision to CAF and, if necessary, to the Court of Arbitration for Sport on two different points. Firstly that an appeal had been filed with the match referee prior to their game with Burkina Faso but had not been forwarded to CAF and secondly that such an appeal was in any case not required due to article 36.12 of the competition regulations which stated that "non-qualified or a suspended player to take part in group matches shall lose the match by penalty (3-0), even in the absence of protests/reservations".

[geysir]

I wonder how close did we come to suffering the same fate, with Shane Long V Wales or was it Slovakia? What higher powers did Stan's intuition tap into to guide him against playing Shane? Maybe we were too harsh on Stan.

[DannyInvincible]

Michael O'Neill interviewed by Vauxhall Northern Ireland Football on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151130793145322

Opening question deals with eligibility but nothing new to the debate really. O'Neill answers as one would expect and acknowledges having to respect players' rights.

The third and final question mentions a few players born elsewhere who O'Neill may wish to consider, including Sean Scannell. I've seen Scannell discussed a couple of time of late on OWC as a potential call-up for NI as I believe his father is actually from Armagh. Interesting considering he's played with us from under-17 level right up to under-21 and 'B' level.

For the record, the other potential call-ups mentioned were: former Japan youth international Robert Cullen, now of VVV-Venlo in the Netherlands; Liam Feeney of Millwall; England youth international Adam Hammill of Wolves; and Kyle Naughton of Spurs, now on loan at Norwich and also a former England youth international. O'Neill confirms that he would consider poaching all of them!

[DannyInvincible]

Very promising developments tonight on OWC with regard to respecting nationality laws that happen to be separate and distinct from that of the UK:

Robert Cullen's Japanese citizenship has absolutely nothing to do with his right to NI citizenship. He qualifies to play for us via his father - end of. Whatever effect any theoretical appearance he may make for us has on his Japanese citizenship is between him and the Japanese government.

Not that there is any such thing as "NI citizenship", but I see progress nonetheless. Maybe, in time, there will be across-the-board acknowledgement of the separate, distinct and entirely valid nature of Irish nationality law and its applicability, along with the fact it similarly has nothing to do with anyone's right to "NI citizenship [sic]" or British citizenship.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Give it twenty years...


As for the players you named, Mi.O'N would have more chance of poaching an egg?

[The Fly]

Very promising developments tonight on OWC

Careful Danny, I think an accusation of stalking isn't far away.

[TrapAPony]

For the record, the other potential call-ups mentioned were: former Japan youth internationalRobert Cullen, now of VVV-Venlo in the Netherlands; Liam Feeney of Millwall; England youth international Adam Hammill of Wolves; and Kyle Naughton of Spurs, now on loan at Norwich and also a former England youth international. O'Neill confirms that he would consider poaching all of them!

Only realistic target...

[Charlie Darwin]

Does ex-Derry City man Conor Sammon have any Northern Irish roots? Would O'Neill poach Sammon?

[geysir]

So corny it's good.

[DannyInvincible]

Does ex-Derry City man Conor Sammon have any Northern Irish roots? Would O'Neill poach Sammon?

I don't think so. First, FIFA would have to widen O'Neill's net.

[The Fly]

^ I knew this would happen.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Sorry, but those 'puns' are terrible...

We all need to get out more.

[Charlie Darwin]

Why did you put 'puns' in quotes?

[Lionel Ritchie]

Why did you put 'puns' in quotes?

Perhaps he's trawling. boom boom!

[Olé Olé]

Michael O'Neill interviewed by Vauxhall Northern Ireland Football on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151130793145322

Opening question deals with eligibility but nothing new to the debate really. O'Neill answers as one would expect and acknowledges having to respect players' rights.

The third and final question mentions a few players born elsewhere who O'Neill may wish to consider, including Sean Scannell. I've seen Scannell discussed a couple of time of late on OWC as a potential call-up for NI as I believe his father is actually from Armagh. Interesting considering he's played with us from under-17 level right up to under-21 and 'B' level.

For the record, the other potential call-ups mentioned were: former Japan youth international Robert Cullen, now of VVV-Venlo in the Netherlands; Liam Feeney of Millwall; England youth international Adam Hammill of Wolves; and Kyle Naughton of Spurs, now on loan at Norwich and also a former England youth international. O'Neill confirms that he would consider poaching all of them!

Scannell's grandfather is from Monaghan. The fact he took the decision to play with Ireland in the first place makes it fairly obvious who his loyalties lie with.

Naughton and Hammill are rather funny considerations!

[DannyInvincible]

Scannell's grandfather is from Monaghan. The fact he took the decision to play with Ireland in the first place makes it fairly obvious who his loyalties lie with.

Indeed. As far as I'm aware, there's been absolutely no indication that Scannell has even considered switching to the IFA.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Perhaps he's trawling. boom boom!

More like you're doing some sort of rather 'coarse fishing' ?

For reasons why I know not. Though you can be added to the list of those in need of fresh air...

[Paddy Garcia]

We should view this as licence to take our gloves off.

[dantheman]

Indeed. As far as I'm aware, there's been absolutely no indication that Scannell has even considered switching to the IFA.

I wonder how much Gary McAllister thinks would be an appropriate amount of compensation for Scannell?

Payment in Euros only Gary.

Thanks a million

[Predator]

I wonder how much Gary McAllister thinks would be an appropriate amount of compensation for Scannell?

Well, this is it, isn't it, Dan?
It is well known that the FAI is exploiting this technicality to the utmost detriment of football in Northern Ireland. It is doing so willingly and at an increasing intensity in order to achieve its ultimate sectarian agenda, which is, the destruction of the great Irish Football Association. The FAI dissidents shall not be yielded to, for if we do, young nationalists might forget their place in the promised land of Ulster.

With this in mind, we need to act, with the grace of God and for Ulster, to counter the FAI's immoral, aggressive and uncompromising stance, by stealing their players, taking back what is rightly ours and pursuing the imposition of a crippling series of reparations. That will show those sneaky beggars who is boss around here: that great British Association, the reigning British Champions: the Irish Football Association - Original and (Georgie) Best!!