FIFA called in to settle FAI dispute

**dantheman** · 09/01/2012, 10:46 AM

Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy

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

They certainly are. They save the FAI a lot of money on training young kids.

They also save on scouting. Why go looking for players when they are being driven towards you?

**Not Brazil** · 09/01/2012, 1:23 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 think the fact that almost 6,000 Northern Ireland fans attended our opening Carling Cup fixture v Scotland would indicate that the subsequent boycott of the games v the South and Wales had nothing to do with the player eligibility issue.

**ArdeeBhoy** · 09/01/2012, 1:31 PM

So was it a 'Nigel Worthington' issue then??

**Not Brazil** · 09/01/2012, 2:17 PM

Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy

So was it a 'Nigel Worthington' issue then??

Sorry AB - I don't know what you are suggesting...on this occassion, your humour is lost on me.

**geysir** · 09/01/2012, 3:33 PM

The Belfast Telegraph reported that the NI fans association, before the tournament began, had wanted the IFA to restrict the distribution of tickets to the regular fans.
After ignoring that advice and putting the tickets on free sale, some trouble happened on the evening of their game against Scotland, the IFA were then asking the regular fans to pay the price in the latter games, for the effects of their own foolishness.

**ArdeeBhoy** · 10/01/2012, 11:15 PM

Originally Posted by Not Brazil

Sorry AB - I don't know what you are suggesting...on this occassion, your humour is lost on me.

You didn't appreciate the comic value then of 'Agent Nigel' ??

It was enjoyed by many Irish soccer fans however.

And guessing by their response thereafter, acknowledged by those from the North...

**Not Brazil** · 11/01/2012, 2:03 PM

As had been previously predicted, it is now being mooted by the Belfast Telegraph that the IFA's desperation to get this tournament off the ground (underwriting a "guarantee" to the SFA) may have resulted in the IFA losing up to £500,000 on the Carling Cup venture.

I'm sure those who boycotted the tournament on account of the "poaching" of the FAI are well chuffed - they've hit the FAI where it hurts...in the IFA's pocket.

As someone who boycotted the Northern Ireland games v the South & Wales on account of the IFA's attempts to rip Northern Ireland fans off, and treat them like dirt, I feel it serves them right.