I am not suffering "bewilderment at how Gibson could represent his local teams" [sic]. Of course I understand why he wishes to represent ROI and have nothing against the lad himself for wishing to do so.
Rather, I am uncertain as to how he is eligible under FIFA's rules, as amended in May 2004. (I have no uncertainty whatever as to Ryan Giggs's eligibility for Wales, both pre-and post-2004, since his mother was born within the territory of the jurisdiction of the FAW.)
To re-visit Point 1: FIFA came first, with a Statement that for ID and verification purposes, players on international duty should present the Passport of the country in whose jurisdiction their National Association is located. (Many footballers have more than one Passport).
When it was pointed out to the IFA that this would mean NI players would be obliged to obtain and carry a UK Passport,
the IFA was concerned, such that it immediately and successfully lobbied FIFA for an exemption, so that NI players could continue to present an Irish Passport, as some had always done. It is correct that certain Irish political figures poked their nose into the matter (indeed, one even attempted entirely falsely to claim "credit" for the exemption), but these politicians were politely told by FIFA to clear off from intervening in a footballing matter which did not concern them.
Is that clear enough for you?
Re. your response to Points 2 + 3, I was entirely specific, yet you do not (cannot?) refute any of what I posted. Why not just post that you don't like what I'm saying, rather than attempting an "answer" which, frankly, is an embarrassment of an attempt at rational debate?
And now, to address your two closing questions specifically.
I can see a number of reasons why "NI are loosing talented players of the Nationalist persuasion"
First and foremost, there are many people from a Nationalist background with no great affinity, if at all, for Northern Ireland, and by extension, the NI football team. It is natural that their background etc might cause them to look towards the ROI team. Naturally, the present generation might be expected to be more politicised after having grown up during the Troubles (or their aftermath) than their parents generation, who grew up in the more peaceable 50's.
And this lack of affinity to the NI team will doubtless be exacerbated by the fact that until very recently, the ROI team has been doing much better than NI, both on and off the field. Therefore, today's teenagers will have been thrilled by the exploits of Keane, Duff, Houghton, Aldridge etc, unlike their parents' generation, whose "Irish" experience of Tournament Finals will have involved players like Jennings, Armstrong, O'Neill etc.
Further, the FAI has made it increasingly clear recently that there is a welcome for NI-born players in their teams, in a policy shift from their previous stance of not picking players from NI. (Indeed, not only do they welcome approaches, but there is also evidence that they may be making the initial approach themselves).
In at least some of the cases where players who previously appeared happy enough to play for NI, but now wish to switch, this followed what they considered to be being "messed around" by the IFA. One example is of Tony Kane, where he was due to play for NI in a European Tournament and some dingbat in the IFA forgot to register him. Another is Michael O'Connor at Crewe who, having played for the NISFA previously (separate from the IFA), felt strongly (and with justification, imo) that the NI U-21 manager was overlooking him infavour of inferior players, so that he eventually got fed up and went to the FAI.
The IFA scouting network is notoriously inefficient, esp when compared with that of the FAI. There are numerous examples of where supporters and family members etc have had to point out NI-eligible players (both first generation
and local born) to the IFA, who had no idea of their existence. Much of this must be blamed on the U-21 Coach, Roy Miller, who is also the IFA's Director of Coaching overall and, quite frankly, a p rick. Unfortunately, after 30 years in the set-up, he is also so entrenched with the "Blazers", that there seems no way to shift him out of the way that doesn't involve gelignite.
Further, for a period of two years in the recent long, dark reign of Sammy McIlroy, the IFA actually abolished the NI U-21 team for financial reasons
Inevitably, many promising 15 and 16 year olds at the time will (justifiably) have viewed the whole under-age set-up as "Mickey Mouse" and looked elsewhere. (And I can't say I blame them, particularly)
Finally, it is probably not coincidence that a significant proportion of those wishing to switch are from Derry. I say that not because there is a different
nature to the politics etc of the city; rather, the presence of an FAI club locally is inevitably going to mean better contacts with the FAI for developing and securing players etc.
Does that answer your question?
As for your second question, I imagine the IFA is
very aware that their objection to what they see as the FAI improperly picking NI-born players in contravention of FIFA's Rules will not do anything for their popularity amongst
Nationalists etc. Indeed, I think this partly explains their reluctance to challenge it immediately after the Rules changed in 2004.
I would guess, however, that they concluded that if they did nothing, the trickle of talent Southwards risked becoming a flood and as I've said before on this Board, but nobody has acknowledged, what other Association would happily stand by and watch an exodus of locally-born players to a rival Association, especially if they felt this exodus was contrary to the Rules?
In the end, if the IFA is successful at FIFA, it may mean
a section of a generation of young Nationalists being further alienated, such that if they can't play for the ROI, they won't want to play for NI.
Personally, I would greatly regret if it came to that. However, I genuinely feel that the solution to this predicament is for the IFA to address fairly and squarely the issues why some present-day youngsters from a Nationalist background may be more alienated than their parents appear to have been. (And by "issues", I mean flags, anthems, imagery etc).
And equally importantly, they need to address their own chronic incompetence when it comes to scouting, coaching, management etc, so that their under-age teams can begin to replicate the success of Sanchez with the senior team and players from all background will be more likely to be proud to wear the jersey for NI.
QuoteOriginally Posted by co. down green
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