Eligibility Rules, Okay

[Charlie Darwin]

You stay classy, Belfast Telegraph...

[SkStu]

As uncouth as the reference might be or appear to be, it would be a pretty momentous appointment in the context of the Irish League. No?

[DannyInvincible]

'Adnan Januzaj invited to play for Kosovo in friendly match': http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26231426

Kosovo have asked Manchester United winger Adnan Januzaj to make his international debut in a friendly against Haiti on 5 March.

Januzaj, 18, could represent Albania, Belgium, Turkey, Serbia and, potentially in the future, England.

If Januzaj played for Kosovo, he would not jeopardise his future choices as only competitive games prevent a player from representing another nation.

"The invitation is symbolic," the Balkan country's federation (FKK) said.

Fifa ruled last month that Kosovo, which is still not a United Nations member, may play friendlies against other nations excluding those which emerged from the former Yugoslavia.

However, they will not be allowed to display national symbols or play their national anthem and the game will not count as an official international match.

The game against Haiti in the northern Kosovan town of Mitrovica.

FKK general secretary Eroll Salihu said the federation had spoken to Januzaj's father and uncle to confirm he would be free to choose another country in the future.

Salihu said: "We believe that he is obliged to show his people that he will be there when needed in a historic moment.

"We should have an answer by the end of this week and Januzaj's appearance would simply show that he has not forgotten his people, even he can play only for 10 or 15 minutes.

"It's a friendly so it will not be an obstacle and he would be eligible to play for whoever he chooses."

Kosovo's complicated political status has seen several players born in the state play for different countries, including Xherdan Shaqiri and Valon Behrami (Switerland), Shefki Kuqi (Finland) and Lorik Cana (Albania).

Januzaj, who signed a new five-year-deal with Manchester United last October, was born in Belgium and has Kosovan-Albanian parents.

He could also represent Serbia after Kosovo declared independence from the country in 2008, while his grandparents are Turkish.

The teenager could play for England by 2018 because Fifa rules allow a player to represent a team if "he has lived continuously for at least five years after reaching the age of 18".

England boss Roy Hodgson said he would leave to the Football Association board to make a decision on whether they would seek to recruit Januzaj but it is understood there is currently no FA policy on this issue.

The Kosovan general secretary's sentiments on "obligation" would very nearly border on IFA-esque there. Surely something lost in translation!

I suppose it shouldn't come as any great surprise either, but the BBC still appear to be of the belief that Januzaj may yet become eligible to play for England under current rules.

[DannyInvincible]

As uncouth as the reference might be or appear to be, it would be a pretty momentous appointment in the context of the Irish League. No?

I don't really see why it would or should be a big deal. The headline just strikes me as incredibly regressive, insular and ultimately embarrassing for whoever's sorry idea it was. Or maybe it's the fact that some still feel one's (assumed) religion in this context is a matter worthy of public note. Fenlon was a popular player whilst playing for Linfield, as far as I'm aware, and plenty of players from Catholic or nationalist backgrounds line out for the club in the present day. Whatever about the cultural make-up of the majority of the club's fanbase, it's not as if Linfield are a Protestants-only club.

I'm sure that, for any well-meaning Linfield supporter, it would be as insulting to them as this sort of ill-educated nonsense was to Irish supporters when Martin O'Neill took over with us: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/foo...coach-duo.html

O’Neill represented Northern Ireland as a player and captained them at the 1982 World Cup, but as a Catholic, as well as the outstanding candidate, he will be warmly welcomed by supporters and media alike.

[SkStu]

Of course you're correct about players of all religions playing for them. Fenlon was a controversial signing at the time but ultimately one which was successful for all concerned and one which the fans certainly warmed to quite quickly. Maybe (probably) I'm out of touch with the current political temperature of IL football but this managerial appointment would strike me as a pretty big deal. The headline and reference to Catholicism is, as I said, a bit uncouth/silly.

[samhaydenjr]

The Belfast Telegraph... Still delivering comedy: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/ne...-30015792.html

Originally Posted by Chris Kilpatrick

Catholic manager Fenlon tipped to take over at Linfield
A Catholic football manager from the Republic of Ireland is the frontrunner for the top job at Irish League giants Linfield.

I think this is the comedy part

[Fixer82]

"Linfield chairman Jim Kerr yesterday revealed the club hopes to have a replacement lined-up within weeks."

what about the fact that their chairman is the lead singer for Simple Minds

[Olé Olé]

Was browsing the Whoscored.com teams of the week there. A name stuck out in the middle of the park; Mirko Boland. An Irish name, no doubt, but his name could just be derived from a continental European name.

[Charlie Darwin]

Was browsing the Whoscored.com teams of the week there. A name stuck out in the middle of the park; Mirko Boland. An Irish name, no doubt, but his name could just be derived from a continental European name.

It's also a German name: http://www.ancestry.com/name-origin?surname=bohland

[Crosby87]

His fan page on the Eintracht site says he smears Lowensenf on his Corned Beef, and he enjoys Bratwurst washed down with Guinness after a tough match. So who knows. It adds that he is extremely punctual and lacks empathy for others suffering, yet is verbose and prone to fighting then quickly making up before fighting again with family when drunk.

[Fixer82]

His fan page on the Eintracht site says he smears Lowensenf on his Corned Beef, and he enjoys Bratwurst washed down with Guinness after a tough match. So who knows. It adds that he is extremely punctual and lacks empathy for others suffering, yet is verbose and prone to fighting then quickly making up before fighting again with family when drunk.

ha ha brilliant

[ArdeeBhoy]

"Linfield chairman Jim Kerr yesterday revealed the club hopes to have a replacement lined-up within weeks."

what about the fact that their chairman is the lead singer for Simple Minds

That group name being somewhat apt regarding a constituency of their fanbase...

However;Kerr and Fenlon (a former Celtic season book holder allegedly) both involved in the higher echelons of Linfield...

Surely some sort of 'nationalist plot' !!

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

It's pretty ridiculous to insinuate that Ireland would only welcome a Catholic manager from Northern Ireland. Rodgers, Lennon and O'Neill are all good managers. It's just a coincidence that they are all Catholic. If they were Mormon, we would not care.

[DannyInvincible]

It's pretty ridiculous to insinuate that Ireland would only welcome a Catholic manager from Northern Ireland. Rodgers, Lennon and O'Neill are all good managers. It's just a coincidence that they are all Catholic. If they were Mormon, we would not care.

I'll be honest; I was troubled by Trap's membership of Opus Dei.

[Irwin3]

That's only likely given there's no political jurisdiction called Ireland.

? Ireland is the name of this country. It says so right on your passport.

[BonnieShels]

Ah jaysus. I didn't complete my sentence there but Charlie got what I was at. Context. Context.

Yes Irwin you're right and as Danny can attest he is aware of my disdain for referring to this State as the Republic of Ireland.

[Crosby87]

Why Bonnie?

[Charlie Darwin]

Why Bonnie?

The name of the country is Ireland, not the Republic of Ireland. Nobody calls Poland 'the Republic of Poland,' even though it is actually its official name, as opposed to Ireland which is officially just 'Ireland.'

[Crosby87]

I think it is to delineate to stupid people the fact that a "Northern Ireland" exists but i could be wrong. (For example I didn't think the US had much of a chance to medal in hockey.)

[Stuttgart88]

I think it is to delineate to stupid people the fact that a "Northern Ireland" exists

That's what "the south" is for, or "the South" if you've a bit of attitude about you.

When asked if I'm from the north or south I always say east.