Northern players declaring for the Republic

[Not Brazil]

you seem to underestimate the very powerful image that is the 'statelet's flag and where it is mostly seen. why would someone who is completely against this endorse it?

Lots of people in Northern Ireland view the Tricolor in the same way.

Interesting that Northern Irish rugby players are tolerant enough to stand under a Tricolor at Landsdowne Road, ever though it does not represent them one iota.

[Merc67]

So why would the IFA & Northern Ireland fans want to make changes to appease those who are against "the very existance of the State"?

For so long as there is an entity called Northern Ireland, there will be teams representing Northern Ireland.

And you claimed the issue of young nationalists choosing to declare for the Republic was not political?

im not saying they should! - as my post showed, that was the last point i made, as a footnote. i think no nationalist/irish passport holder should play for the windsor team.

i dont think it has to be labelled political (although in essence most choices made are), because its an easy decision based on what you feel. they dont have to sit down and think too much about it i'd imagine, it's what they are. so its not necessarily a political statement, per se. get me?

[antrimgreen]

Irish when it suits you to be, and british when it suits you. No doubt if you were visting foreign countries you would be saying you are Irish. You have one nationality what is it Not Brazil Irish or British??

[Merc67]

Lots of people in Northern Ireland view the Tricolor in the same way.

Interesting that Northern Irish rugby players are tolerant enough to stand under a Tricolor at Landsdowne Road, ever though it does not represent them one iota.

What's your point? they dont fly it at NI games, do they!??!?! anyhow, the meaning of the tricolour is all but lost on unionists too, i suppose. theyre too busy burning them to find out the true meaning.

as for the rugby players, as my point above, it does represent them, no? the colour on the right hand side of the flag?

also, we have to endure that godawful Ireland's call thanks to them

[Merc67]

oh and isn't it the UK of GB and NI... so how is NI 'british'....

is it not simply part of the UK?

[Dodge]

Irish when it suits you to be, and british when it suits you. No doubt if you were visting foreign countries you would be saying you are Irish. You have one nationality what is it Not Brazil Irish or British??

He might be both. Don't let this thread decend into name calling. Its been OK so far.

Just on one point, the NI lads here seem to indicate that tapping up occurs and that the FAI only taps up catholic/nationalist lads. The FAI say no tapping up occurs.

So if it is happening, how do you know they're not tapping up Prod/Unionist lads? Maybe they're approached and say nothing (unless you think that only Baird/McKenna were approached on turned it down) Oh and as we're on this not labelling people with religions based on names, how do you know the leanings of those two?

Unless of course the FAI aren't tapping up players and the lads do just want to play for 'their country'

[Not Brazil]

if you are to take only footballers, mostly airheads who would do anything to get a game and a few quid, then i'd imagine negating the 'british' feel would go some way to making a change...

Those footballers need to decide whether football or politics is their driving force.

Northern Ireland has a "british feel" to it, because it constitutes part of the United Kingdom.

That said, I would be happy to see a new sporting anthem adopted, and a new flag.

If that means that nationalist footballers feel more comfortable playing for Northern Ireland, great.

It would not be my primary motivating factor tho, in seeking such changes.

[crc]

Lots of people in Northern Ireland view the Tricolor in the same way.

What's your point?
...anyhow, the meaning of the tricolour is all but lost on unionists too, i suppose.

His point wasn't to debate the original (noble) meaning of the tricolour, but to point out that because of over a century of history it is seen as offensive by many up north. Think about how you think of the Union flag, that's how they feel about the tricolour (unfortunately).

...as for the rugby players, as my point above, it does represent them, no? the colour on the right hand side of the flag?

The red saltire in the Union flag represents Ireland, does that make you any more likely to accept it as a flag that belongs to you? Thought not.

[Not Brazil]

Irish when it suits you to be, and british when it suits you. No doubt if you were visting foreign countries you would be saying you are Irish. You have one nationality what is it Not Brazil Irish or British??

I am Irish and British.

The GFA upholds my right to be, and identify as, Irish and/or British.

I am proudly and unapologetically both. Proud of both my Irish and British heritage.

I support representative sides fielded by The IRISH football Association.

The two are not mutually exclusive.

English and British
Welsh and British
Scottish and British
Irish and British.

Do you get it yet?

[EalingGreen]

[B]
Threads like this are always going to be highjacked by some who have more interest in pushing a political point rather than having a real interest in football, so i'll leave you to it.

To be honest i'm more interested in seeing Shane Long keep his place up front for Reading this Saturday than i am having a slagging match with people who seem more interested in politics than football.

Foot.ie is a great site and covers all aspects of Irish football, it isn't ravaged with politics and negativity like some other football sites on this island, long may it continue.

Goodnight & good luck.

Wow! I fail to see how this thread could ever be completely apolitical, considering the subject matter!
And just because you may disagree with my political point of view doesn't mean that I am a "political" animal, but you are not.
For the record, I've been following the NI football team home and abroad for over 35 years now i.e. since before I could even spell "politics", never mind claim to understand them. In fact, other than to cast my vote at the ballot box every few years, I have never been in any way politically active, either at an official or unofficial level.
I did, however, play football (mostly at a laughably bad standard) for over 20 years for a number of clubs, I am currently a member of three football supporters clubs (NI, THFC and Brentford) and whilst I've no idea of the exact figure, the number of football matches I've paid to attend over the years must be approaching four figures.

[gspain]

Article 15.1 makes them eligible.
Article 15.3(a) makes them eligible
Article 15.3(b) makes them eligible
annex 2, article 1.2 then basically goes against local legislation, which is particularly sensitive in this area. i dont think anyone can, with a straight face, argue that because FIFA say it, it should overrule the legal possession of a passport which entitles someone to play for the 'south'.

FIFA have done this when Qatar handed out passports to talented young Brazilians. This started the whole controversy as before all you needed was a passport and you could play for a country.

The terroritory of the association in the case of the IFA is Northern Ireland.
The terroritory of the association in the case of the FAI is the Republic of Ireland. Whatever about nationalist and/or Republican aspirations these are not in dispute between the respective governments, FIFA or the asscoiations.

[Not Brazil]

anyhow, the meaning of the tricolour is all but lost on unionists too, i suppose. theyre too busy burning them to find out the true meaning.
as for the rugby players, as my point above, it does represent them, no? the colour on the right hand side of the flag?

I am well aware of the representation on the Tricolor.

I have never burnt a Tricolor in my life.

I does not represent me in any shape or form. It may be so intentioned, but it is not, and never will be, a flag I identify with.

Many who claim to be the upholders of the representation on the flag have seen to that. Unable to accept that some of their fellow Irishmen and women are proudly British.

[Not Brazil]

oh and isn't it the UK of GB and NI... so how is NI 'british'....

is it not simply part of the UK?

Whatever.

I am a British citizen, born and bred on the island of Ireland.

Go figure.

[EalingGreen]

We've had...[Bla, bla bla]...the usual horsesh*t that I've come to expect from you?

Lopez,
Following another thread, I've come to realise that it's futile for me to debate any such topic with you, not just because I risk allowing myself to get drawn into endless controversy, to the nth degree of pettiness, but also because it seems to me that the style and content of your posts inevitably say more about you and your opinions than I ever could.
So by all means, keep posting, indeed keep posting in response to my posts if you like; just don't expect me to reciprocate.

[Not Brazil]

im not saying they should! - as my post showed, that was the last point i made, as a footnote. i think no nationalist/irish passport holder should play for the windsor team.

i dont think it has to be labelled political (although in essence most choices made are), because its an easy decision based on what you feel. they dont have to sit down and think too much about it i'd imagine, it's what they are. so its not necessarily a political statement, per se. get me?

Somewhat different for a player that represents Northern Ireland and then changes they "way they feel" tho, isn't it?

Plenty of nationalists/Irish Passport holders play for Northern Ireland representative teams.

Are you suggesting they should exclude themselves?

[Not Brazil]

His point wasn't to debate the original (noble) meaning of the tricolour, but to point out that because of over a century of history it is seen as offensive by many up north. Think about how you think of the Union flag, that's how they feel about the tricolour (unfortunately).

The red saltire in the Union flag represents Ireland, does that make you any more likely to accept it as a flag that belongs to you? Thought not.

Nail on the head again crc.

The, entirely noble, representation of the flag, was left in tatters when a vicious campaign was waged against those fellow Irishmen and women represented by one third of the flag.

"Brits Out" was the cry.

It will never represent my community in any shape or form.

[Merc67]

His point wasn't to debate the original (noble) meaning of the tricolour, but to point out that because of over a century of history it is seen as offensive by many up north. Think about how you think of the Union flag, that's how they feel about the tricolour (unfortunately).

The red saltire in the Union flag represents Ireland, does that make you any more likely to accept it as a flag that belongs to you? Thought not.

my other point abuot the tricolour is that northern teams are not asked to play beneath it...why didnt you take issue with that?

as for the St Patrick's cross - that's an outdated representation is it not? is the union flag not a flag that evolved. thought so.

[Merc67]

I am Irish and British.

The GFA upholds my right to be, and identify as, Irish and/or British.

I am proudly and unapologetically both. Proud of both my Irish and British heritage.

I support representative sides fielded by The IRISH football Association.

The two are not mutually exclusive.

English and British
Welsh and British
Scottish and British
Irish and British.

Do you get it yet?

it is mutually exclusive. where would someone irish stand on the occupation of ireland by britain? i think we know what side. now, where would you stand - oh wait you were the occupier., you are not irish, you are a 'brit' in ireland...

as for welsh, english and scottish - theyre all part of great britain, NI is not.

[Merc67]

FIFA have done this when Qatar handed out passports to talented young Brazilians. This started the whole controversy as before all you needed was a passport and you could play for a country.

The terroritory of the association in the case of the IFA is Northern Ireland.
The terroritory of the association in the case of the FAI is the Republic of Ireland. Whatever about nationalist and/or Republican aspirations these are not in dispute between the respective governments, FIFA or the asscoiations.

in the first link you sent there is also mention of somene havign a 'nationality' forced upon them by the governing association. i think that would be the case here.

there is a debate over nationality here, it cannot be judged outside that light...

[Not Brazil]

it is mutually exclusive. where would someone irish stand on the occupation of ireland by britain? i think we know what side. now, where would you stand - oh wait you were the occupier., you are not irish, you are a 'brit' in ireland...

as for welsh, english and scottish - theyre all part of great britain, NI is not.

I am not an "occupier".

I was born and bred on the island of Ireland - as were generations of my family before me.

You seem unable to deal with that reality.

Your problem, not mine.

I am a "Brit" born of Ireland.

And here to stay.