NI boss targets Republic's Gibson

[EalingGreen]

It [OWC] used to be an open site, but it was getting so much bad publicity in the press - due to the outburst of a 'few' posters - that you now have to register to enter. There's a link above. Enjoy!

Total bull****! Anyone may view entirely for free. Anyone may post after first registering for free. And by paying a one-off £5.00 Fee*, anyone may become a Patron, thereby entitling him/her to start new threads, and also to access threads in the Patron's section (dealing with away travel arrangements etc) in the period prior to those threads being moved to the non-Patron's section.

Enjoy:
www.ourweecountry.co.uk

* - The Patron's Fee was introduced to allow the Board's owner to purchase extra bandwidth.

[EalingGreen]

Being born in a stable doesn't make one a horse, Howie (though Mr Wells' seems to have been bestowed the intelligence of one). The IFA will have to come to terms with the facts that, firstly, many northern nationalists are simply uncomfortable, and unwilling to represent the wee 'country' - an inclusive wee association who fly a defunct wee loyalist banner (what happened the Saint Patrick's cross, too inclusive?) and which plays the British [!?] national anthem, it must be pointed out. And secondly, that anyone born in the North of Ireland is an Irish/British citizen by right and, as far as FIFA are concerned, are entitled to declare for either Association.

If you say so. Personally, I prefer to wait and see what FIFA says on the subject. And whether they decide for the FAI or for the IFA, I'll accept their Ruling.

[EalingGreen]

Darron Gibson will probably play tomorrow night at some stage, after that it's up to FIFA or UEFA to intervene. Because Northern Ireland and the question of nationality is fraught with so much sensitivity, I think that they'll refrain from making any stupid or controversial decisions. They will, common-sense prevailing, uphold Gibson's long-stated desire to play for the Republic. If they take negative action, ie, docking points or barring Gibson from playing for us, there will be absolute uproar. That's the last thing that FIFA want.

If the regulations were that stringent, would Derry City be allowed to represent the Republic in Europe? Derry, Alan Kernaghan, Ger Crossley and Mark McKeever set precedents which favour Gibson resoundingly. The difference is that Gibson is a highly-rated player at a high-profile club. He looks like having a great future and I don't blame the North for pursuing him, despite the wish of the player.

Re. your first paragraph, how many times do I have to point out that FIFA does not revolve around Ireland? They have 208 Member Associations within their jurisdiction, many of them entailing political controversies which make the Irish situation seem like a vicar's tea party. Therefore they will determine in Gibson's case purely with regard to their Rules and Regs and if that causes "political uproar" on this tiny island in an archipelago in the North East Atlantic, so be it. After all, they stood up to China over Taipei (Taiwan)

As for your other examples, none of these has any relevance to the Gibson case - indeed Derry City wasn't even anything to do with FIFA...

[EalingGreen]

In 2007 the FAI summer schools only cover the 26 counties. I think next year the courses should be extended to the six other counties to allow our young Irish players living there an opportunity to participate.

"You think". You might be advised to see what FIFA think about it first.

[EalingGreen]

Even if they didnt, gibson could go to european court of human rights etc, and FIFA dont want that. It is recognised across the world that people borh in the 6 counties can hold an Irish passport, therefore entitling them to play for Ireland, regardless of what EG thinks. FIFA know this and they aren't going to open up a whole can of worms for that reason alone. Unless FIFA changed their rules, which they wont do in this case, NI and IFA have no leg to stand on.

It may be that FIFA will determine in Gibson's favour, but if they should, it won't have anything to do with fear of court action, since it is not a "human right" to be allowed to play football for one team rather than another.

Should FIFA decide that Gibson is not eligible for the ROI and the FAI/Irish Government complains, then FIFA may simply suspend or even terminate the FAI's Membership. They've done so with other Associations many times before in their history and without exception, sooner or later those Associations (and their Governments) have caved in.

[co. down green]

In 2007 the FAI summer schools only cover the 26 counties. I think next year the courses should be extended to the six other counties to allow our young Irish players living there an opportunity to participate.

Totally agree, would you like to email the FAI to voice your support for such an extension, i have.

Its important that the Gibson's, O'connor's, Kane's, Wilson's & Harkin's of the future can be nurtured by our associations national development plan and we will all reep the benifits.

[EalingGreen]

I can just imagine the political fallout if FIFA intervene and try to restrict nationalist Northern Ireland born players from playing for the republic. The nationalist political parties up north would be in uproar as it would appear to many that FIFA was attempting to circumvent an agreement that was reached at a political level after decades of conflict. The British government would consequently be livid. The Irish one also.

Surely even EalingGreen and his North Korean mates from ourweecountry.com living in the fantasyland that we all acknowledge many of them inhabit do not expect FIFA to get itself muddled up in such a mess. Not when they couldn't even be bothered to interfere in the Carlos Tevez case for fear of overstepping their boundaries (a far less sensitive issue I think we all can agree).

Come on EalingGreen wake up and smell the rashers ffs. I can understand why your miffed but can't you also likewise understand why someone like Gibson doesn't want to represent your national team? After all it should be his choice not yours. This is in essence what we all agreed to in 98 wasn't it? Let's all let go of the Authoritarian ways of the past and we can all move on hand in hand into the new millenium.

P.S. I hear Paul Butler is thinking of defecting to the North after not receiving any recent International call-ups so you can have him instead. All swings and roundabouts eh?

As I've posted elsewhere, if FIFA can stand up to e.g. the Government of the Peoples Republic of China, then I daresay a few outraged minor politicians in Dublin or Derry will hardly bother them!

As for Gibson himself, of course I understand his position. But all this talk about the GFA/1998 is entirely irrelevant, since neither FIFA, UEFA, the IFA or FAI were signatories to that agreement and so it has absolutely fcuk all to do with football. Why cannot people see that?

[EalingGreen]

Quote from the Good Friday Agreement; ''The birthright of all the people of Northern Ireland to identify themselves and be accepted as Irish or British, or both, as they may so choose, and accordingly confirm that their right to hold both British and Irish citizenship is accepted by both Governments and would not be affected by any future change in the status of Northern Ireland."

I really don't think FIFA want to contradict such a significant document.

On the contrary, I feel certain that FIFA couldn't give a stuff about the GFA. They have no desire to have to comply with a political agreement to which they were not a signatory, nor can anyone force them.

As I keep saying, if either the FAI or IFA doesn't like FIFA's eventual determination over Gibson etc, they each know where the door is...

[eelmonster]

FIFA ruling, June of this year, in addition to the letter to both FAs in October, this would seem fairly conclusive:

All any country has to do is grant that player full unconditional citizenship and he is eligible to play for that country whether he lives there or not.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...440574&cc=5739

[EalingGreen]

I have applied to join the forum but as I used the username dundalk guy...maybe it will be declined. i hope not as I actually support both teams on this island.

Anyway I have been reading alot of the comments over Gibson,kane,Wilson and M o'Connor from Crewe.....most posters claim the Fai are bigots and are only poaching catholic players...I think this is harsh as I know both Gibson and Wilson were both mis-treated by the ifa (also there is question over the religion of both mentioned players)

Why on earth would membership be declined over the name "Dundalk Guy"?

If anyone objects, just remind then that the great Peter McParland, who scored more goals in World Cup Finals than any other Irishman living or dead, started his career with Dundalk FC!

Speaking personally, I would welcome you or any other poster from this Board to get involved, should you wish. You may encounter views and opinions with which you disagree, or which even offend. That is because with 000's of members, the Board has its share of prciks.

A bit like this Board, really...

[Paddy Garcia]

But all this talk about the GFA/1998 is entirely irrelevant, since neither FIFA, UEFA, the IFA or FAI were signatories to that agreement and so it has absolutely fcuk all to do with football. Why cannot people see that?

Of course it's not entirely irrelevant - well only to those still opposing the GFA I suppose.

I don't believe that FIFA, UEFA, the IFA or FAI were signatories to the split of Yugoslavia. This "omission" does not seem to have prevented Croatia and Serbia from fielding football teams based on a political change impacting nationality.

[EalingGreen]

Originally Posted by Paddy Garcia
"In 2007 the FAI summer schools only cover the 26 counties. I think next year the courses should be extended to the six other counties to allow our young Irish players living there an opportunity to participate"

Totally agree, would you like to email the FAI to voice your support for such an extension, i have.

Any reply yet?

[EalingGreen]

FIFA ruling, June of this year, in addition to the letter to both FAs in October, this would seem fairly conclusive:

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...440574&cc=5739

Unless Gibson opts to play for Israel, this has nothing to do with his case. Which from the FAI's point of view is probably a good thing, since the players in dispute were actually barred from representing the Association they had opted for...

[EalingGreen]

I don't believe that FIFA, UEFA, the IFA or FAI were signatories to the split of Yugoslavia. This "omission" does not seem to have prevented Croatia and Serbia from fielding football teams based on a political change impacting nationality.

If Derry were to declare its independence and this were recognised by FIFA, then Gibson would be entitled to represent the "Free Derry FA", without the IFA or FAI being able to do a damned thing about it.

Otherwise, your point is a load of Balkans...

[eelmonster]

Did you read the quote from FIFA? I'll post it again.

All any country has to do is grant that player full unconditional citizenship and he is eligible to play for that country whether he lives there or not.

This argument over eligibility is redundant.

[as_i_say]

As is this whole thread really. If Gibson wants to play for us, is good enough, then he will.

[Dr. Ogba]

Otherwise, your point is a load of Balkans...

This thread is a load of Balkans...

[Paddy Garcia]

If Derry were to declare its independence and this were recognised by FIFA, then Gibson would be entitled to represent the "Free Derry FA", without the IFA or FAI being able to do a damned thing about it.

Otherwise, your point is a load of Balkans...

It's at times like this when I can find something to admire about Blair & his team having to negotiate with politicians up in Ulster.

[youngirish]

As I've posted elsewhere, if FIFA can stand up to e.g. the Government of the Peoples Republic of China, then I daresay a few outraged minor politicians in Dublin or Derry will hardly bother them!

As for Gibson himself, of course I understand his position. But all this talk about the GFA/1998 is entirely irrelevant, since neither FIFA, UEFA, the IFA or FAI were signatories to that agreement and so it has absolutely fcuk all to do with football. Why cannot people see that?

FIFA delegates were also not signatories to the Irish Republic's Constitution, the French Constitution or the American Declaration of Independence as far as I'm aware yet they recognise the borders and people of the states that all of the above have come to represent and define so I'd say politics in some sense does have something to do with football irrespective of your silly, childish, unrealistic assessment to the contrary.

And it would hardly be just a few Dublin or Derry politicians that were livid if they decided to ignore a document that defines the legal rights of a citizen of a country. I'd say your own government (the one in Westminister I mean) would also have something to say on the matter. Possibly even their mates the Americans also who have invested a fair amount of their time in helping to draft such an agreement in the first place.

Maybe if you continue to push FIFA on this matter then they might just decide to wash their hands of the whole thing and disband your whole team and force you to compete as part of a joint UK team. Something they've not being too impartial of trying to do in the past. Now that would be funny.

P.S. Do some work

[Maroon 7]

It may be that FIFA will determine in Gibson's favour, but if they should, it won't have anything to do with fear of court action, since it is not a "human right" to be allowed to play football for one team rather than another.

In fairness I don't think that would be up to you to decide.

Should FIFA decide that Gibson is not eligible for the ROI and the FAI/Irish Government complains, then FIFA may simply suspend or even terminate the FAI's Membership. They've done so with other Associations many times before in their history and without exception, sooner or later those Associations (and their Governments) have caved in.

I think a bit of wishful thinking in operation here.