FIFA called in to settle FAI dispute

**BonnieShels** · 20/12/2011, 12:48 PM

Given the issue at hand you really have to wonder who leaked this.
The Scots seemed have a case based on a biased article in the Telegraph but the initial inference in all news outlets that the FAI alone owed the SFA the cash is just wrong.

**dantheman** · 20/12/2011, 2:04 PM

Originally Posted by theworm2345

Perhaps Delaney did it on purpose to give himself the chance to do more interviews (televised, preferably) and perhaps right a book.

I hope if you ever right a book yourself you'll get someone else to check you spelling! ;-)

**Junior** · 20/12/2011, 2:19 PM

Lovely picture of the Scottish celebrations after scoring against us...symbolic if you will. Wait, didnt we win that game 1-0?

**theworm2345** · 20/12/2011, 2:21 PM

Originally Posted by dantheman

I hope if you ever right a book yourself you'll get someone else to check you spelling! ;-)

7:30 in the morning, only got about 6 hours of sleep, had to leave for the gym, I wasn't too concerned with my spelling

**geysir** · 21/12/2011, 10:22 AM

Originally Posted by Junior

Lovely picture of the Scottish celebrations after scoring against us...symbolic if you will. Wait, didnt we win that game 1-0?

The caption reads 'James Morrison celebrates with Kenny Miller and Scott Brown after scoring the first goal for Scotland against the Irish in the Carling Nations Cup'

We're all the same 'Irish' to the Telegraph.

**ArdeeBhoy** · 21/12/2011, 10:27 AM

Yes, in the case of 'The Torygraph', still probably part of 'the Empire'...

**Irwin3** · 21/12/2011, 1:32 PM

Er, wasn't that against Wales?

**DannyInvincible** · 21/12/2011, 2:45 PM

Indeed, Scotland wore their navy against NI and Kenny Miller scored the opening goal:

**geysir** · 21/12/2011, 6:32 PM

The sad life of the anorak brigade

It would be a hard job to even slightly loosen a Scot's grips from the promise of a fixed sum of money.
If Delaney pulls this one off, it will put him at the top of the class for a month.

**Mr_Parker** · 22/12/2011, 11:35 PM

Originally Posted by BonnieShels

Given the issue at hand you really have to wonder who leaked this.

Leaked? It didn't need to be leaked. It was all predicted months ago.

**osarusan** · 08/01/2012, 12:53 PM

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/16460333.stm

NI pulling out of the Nations Cup.

Irish FA president Jim Shaw is now reported to have said that Northern Ireland will opt out of the tournament.

"It was a one-off to start with," Shaw told the Sunday Times.

"There was never any agreement to continue. I suppose if it had gone well there is the possibility that it could have been repeated.

"I don't envisage it happening again but circumstances can change."

**TrapAPony** · 08/01/2012, 1:11 PM

Originally Posted by osarusan

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/16460333.stm

NI pulling out of the Nations Cup.

A serious dent to the FAI

**Scooby Doo** · 08/01/2012, 1:22 PM

Originally Posted by osarusan

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/16460333.stm

"The inaugural tournament in Dublin suffered from low attendances with some Northern Ireland fans boycotting games because of their anger over the Republic of Ireland selecting Northern Ireland-born players."
.

**Predator** · 08/01/2012, 1:38 PM

Seems to me the writer had a pro NI stance, or else he got sucked into their disingenuous hijacking of a ticket/travel protest.

**DannyInvincible** · 08/01/2012, 2:04 PM

Originally Posted by Predator

Seems to me the writer had a pro NI stance, or else he got sucked into their disingenuous hijacking of a ticket/travel protest.

I wouldn't even say it was hijacked. That gives what actually did occur too much credit and suggests an element of pre-organisation. The whole thing was airbrushed after a travel/expenses/booze ban boycott was already in place. Posters on OWC openly and unashamedly spoke of stage-managing how they could then present the boycott to the media ex post facto.

I actually suspect it's the former; that they're sympathetic to the NI cause at BBC Sport NI. Remember this?: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...sh/9044215.stm

Is that to be expected? I dunno. I know RTÉ would have a natural bias towards us, but the BBC has always been held aloft as a bastion of neutrality.

And they really seem keen to push the eligibility thing as a political issue of late. They dedicated three quarters of an hour to its discussion on the radio during the week and even political editor Mark Devenport's writing about it.

**Predator** · 08/01/2012, 2:44 PM

Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

I wouldn't even say it was hijacked. That gives what actually did occur too much credit and suggests an element of pre-organisation. The whole thing was airbrushed after a travel/expenses/booze ban boycott was already in place. Posters on OWC openly and unashamedly spoke of stage-managing how they could then present the boycott to the media ex post facto.

Excellent point, well made.

Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

I actually suspect it's the former; that they're sympathetic to the NI cause at BBC Sport NI. Remember this?: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...sh/9044215.stm

Is that to be expected? I dunno. I know RTÉ would have a natural bias towards us, but the BBC has always been held aloft as a bastion of neutrality.

And they really seem keen to push the eligibility thing as a political issue of late. They dedicated three quarters of an hour to its discussion on the radio during the week and even political editor Mark Devenport's writing about it.

Wading into conspiracy territory here (really just encouraging critical thinking) but perhaps the exposure that the settled elibility issue is receiving is a result of the ornery attitude of Gary McAllister and his cronies behind the scenes? They hope to sway hearts and minds by portraying this as being unresolved. I think they like the sound of backfire.

**Charlie Darwin** · 08/01/2012, 2:51 PM

Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

I wouldn't even say it was hijacked. That gives what actually did occur too much credit and suggests an element of pre-organisation. The whole thing was airbrushed after a travel/expenses/booze ban boycott was already in place. Posters on OWC openly and unashamedly spoke of stage-managing how they could then present the boycott to the media ex post facto.

I actually suspect it's the former; that they're sympathetic to the NI cause at BBC Sport NI. Remember this?: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...sh/9044215.stm

Is that to be expected? I dunno. I know RTÉ would have a natural bias towards us, but the BBC has always been held aloft as a bastion of neutrality.

And they really seem keen to push the eligibility thing as a political issue of late. They dedicated three quarters of an hour to its discussion on the radio during the week and even political editor Mark Devenport's writing about it.

Luckily FIFA don't have a lot of time for the British media

**BonnieShels** · 08/01/2012, 4:24 PM

Originally Posted by osarusan

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/16460333.stm

NI pulling out of the Nations Cup.

I just want to put this on record right now.

I think I'm in love with the the IFA. I have always been an advocate for "One Association/Team/League in Ireland" but I feel the nuggets of joy that emanate from Windsor Avenue every so often are easily more valuable to me and my own personal happiness than a singular unified entity has ever been.

**ArdeeBhoy** · 08/01/2012, 4:31 PM

They are certainly an organisation that keeps on giving...

**bennocelt** · 08/01/2012, 4:40 PM

Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

Is that to be expected? I dunno. I know RTÉ would have a natural bias towards us, but the BBC has always been held aloft as a bastion of neutrality.

And they really seem keen to push the eligibility thing as a political issue of late. They dedicated three quarters of an hour to its discussion on the radio during the week and even political editor Mark Devenport's writing about it.

Not with Devenport anyway!