Freedom of movement and restriction of career opportunities aren't considerations. There's ample case law, at the EU level anyway, that shows that rules that might be seen as restrictive practice in normal industries but which are necessary for the efficient workings and integrity of sport can be kept in place. It's all about how legitimate the restriction is, and how proportional it is.
I see the argument that Rice is cheapening the honour and also the idea of cup tying players but let's face it we're happy to poach from other associations. We win some, we lose some.
“O'Neill, who was left waiting by Jack Grealish for a year before the Aston Villa man switched to England, insists the start of the next Euro qualifiers in March is the cut-off for Rice to solve his dilemma.”
https://www.independent.ie/sport/soc...-37370706.html
I don't think anybody is calling 'foul', we are all well aware of the rules and how we have benefited from same. That's not to say we can't discuss best practice to protect ourselves from such scenarios in the future.
Obviously this episode is particularly tough to take given the potential of the player involved and enthusiasm with which he represented us up as far as and including senior level. But if he deflects, clearly it's all above board and we'll just have to take our medicine.
Btw Rice himself is a world class sociopath. All those quotes of loyalty and honour were disingenuous to say the least. He asked the media after an u21 fixture not to ask questions about his allegiance and then he went on to play for the senior team against US. Why ask the press that? Unless you know you have a plan to leave. Am I wrong?
Yes, yes you are.
Which is pretty much the point I was addressing. The team spirit and togetherness of previous teams has often been referenced as an attraction by former players (including many who 'defected' to us) and I believe this is what we should focus on to recruit players with more than one option. Looking to change rules or expecting FIFA to change rules is unlikely to happen.
I would not be sure the current management set up is best placed to generate such an scenario.
I'm sure in this case he is correct as its probably fairly common knowledge among journos at this stage, but fallon really shouldn't be writing any "breaking" stories anymore. He has lost all credibility, not sure he had any to start with actually.
I'm a bloke,I'm an ocker
And I really love your knockers,I'm a labourer by day,
I **** up all me pay,Watching footy on TV,
Just feed me more VB,Just pour my beer,And get my smokes, And go away
After the Welsh defeat a few ex-pros (Cunningham, Breen and Andrews) were saying on the OTB podcast that this "USP" is diminishing in importance, simply because they hear (or equally plausibly are just guessing) that the atmosphere in the squad isn't great and they don't rate the management set up.
Yeah, this is my take on it too.
We didn't seem to be too bothered by the cheapening of the honour when Alex Bruce chose us over Northern Ireland "purely because I think they are a better team", for example. Naturally, it's much more of an issue when we are losing a player in this way than gaining one.
MON is in fairyland if he thinks Rice is going to come back to Ireland in March. I am sickened that Ireland have somehow managed to lose yet another top prospect but one cannot blame Southgate as he is doing what he is paid to do for his country. From now on, Ireland should cap any young dual player showing potential in the 90th minute of a competitive match. We need to be cynical. I don't care what the small few say about the so called ''cheapening an Irish cap''..Secure them for the future just like the much smarter Welsh.
Last edited by TrapAPony; 02/10/2018 at 1:52 PM.
"We lost because we didn't win"- Ronaldo
]Yes, yes you are.[/QUOTE]
Like the last time, remember I said there was something wrong when Mon felt the need to have face to face meeting with Rice before the last squad announcement and you felt I way off the mark. Am i wrong?
No, No youre not.
I'm a bloke,I'm an ocker
And I really love your knockers,I'm a labourer by day,
I **** up all me pay,Watching footy on TV,
Just feed me more VB,Just pour my beer,And get my smokes, And go away
I was thinking the very same when I read tets reply to you earlier, he cut you down then and for some reason, again today.
And again today, you are right, a guy belting out a national anthem, in an alien language, while requesting no such questions from journalists, add in a bit of badge kissing, is definitely not normal, I'm not qualified to say its sociopathic, but its something, a wrong upstairs thing.
Last edited by CraftyToePoke; 02/10/2018 at 4:19 PM.
The English are confident
Also, good article here, but can only read half of it
Last edited by Deckydee; 02/10/2018 at 7:48 PM.
The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist thinks it will change; the realist adjusts the sails.
Looks like he is a gonna but it must be difficult for him, I'd bet his dad supports Ireland 100%
All the pantomime booing and hissing aside, he’s only 19. The only thing i’d resent him for is if he doesn’t **** or get off the pot. Soon.
More like West Ham want more time to bully him into a decision.
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