NI boss targets Republic's Gibson

**tetsujin1979** · 07/09/2007, 8:18 PM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

Which I'm not allowed to download at work. Mentioned back around page 2 of this thread!

Adobe have a service to convert pdf documents to HTML here:
http://www.adobe.com/products/acroba...linetools.html
Should do the job nicely for you

**R�iteoir** · 08/09/2007, 8:39 PM

Its a pity the IFA weren't more concerned in offering protection to players like Neil Lennon that DID declare for his "country" of birth only to be harrassed firstly by moronic booing from his own fans before it elevated or was allowed to elevate to death threats and intimidation.

**Not Brazil** · 15/10/2007, 9:40 AM

This one is certainly dragging on.

The FAI and IFA have been summoned to Zurich today, to get this sorted out.

IFA winning Gibbo war
Man U star's Republic career in the balance
Sunday, October 14, 2007
By Jim Gracey

Northern Ireland and Republic football chiefs have been summoned to a top level FIFA showdown in Zurich tomorrow for an expected ruling on the Darren Gibson tug-of-war between the two countries.

And indications are that the IFA will win their battle to have the Derry-born Manchester United starlet declared ineligible for the Republic who have already played him in a Euro 2008 qualifier.

That could open up another can of worms for the Republic and have serious repercussions for the young player whose senior international career would effectively be over before it really got off the ground.

Steve Staunton's side, who faced Germany in Dublin last night, could have points deducted for including Gibbo in their Group D 2-2 draw in Slovakia earlier this year.

They could even be booted out of the European Championship 2008 although their chances of qualifying for next summer's finals are slim anyway.

It would also be a bitter personal blow to 21-year-old rising star Gibson whose preference was always for the Republic and having achieved his dream, cannot now play for Northern Ireland, even if he wanted to.

His only hope, if the decision goes against him, would be for the ruling to cover future selections, allowing him to carry on representing the Republic.

IFA Chief Executive Howard Wells was at pains to point out last night:" There is nothing personal in all of this. It is about establishing a point of principle and preventing the Republic from selecting players from Northern Ireland who are not eligible for them.

"It is just unfortunate Darron Gibson has become the focus."

The wrangle has also become a political hot potato, hastening FIFA's determination to come to a resolution.

Republic chiefs and Government figures cited the right of Northern Ireland people, under the Good Friday Agreement, to consider themselves Irish citizens.

The IFA in turn recruited a top London QC and author of a book on the Agreement, Austin Morgan, who argued that the treaty was never intended to cut across sporting statutes.

Now it seems a FIFA ruling is imminent with IFA chiefs confident it will go in their favour. Either way, it will not bolster relations between the two associations.

An IFA insider hinted last night: "We expect the talks to put an end to the poaching wrangle. It has been going on for far too long.

"FIFA wanted us to get round a table and talk with the FAI but we rejected that and insisted on face-to-face talks with them, hence the summons to Zurich.

"We believe it is time to grasp the nettle otherwise we will continue to develop young players at under age level then run the risk of losing out when a special one emerges.

"It's not good enough and we want to put an end to it.

"Darron Gibson is an example of that. He played for Northern Ireland at Under 16 and Under 17 level yet was capped recently by the Republic against Slovakia.

"It's simply not good enough and it is time FIFA implemented the rules governing eligibility which are quite clear and which make young Gibson ineligible to play for the Republic.

"But this is not about young Gibson. The IFA's attitude is that the Gibson case is over but FIFA must act now to clarify the situation once and for all."

The Republic have already been told not to include players born in Northern Ireland until the wrangle has been sorted.

**geysir** · 15/10/2007, 1:03 PM

Journalistic licence (to scare) is what they call most of that.
From the Sunday Times Sept 9
Fifa spokesman Andreas Herren said on Friday (Sept 7): “The Fifa Legal Committee reviewed the whole issue at its meeting in mid-August. Subsequently a letter was sent to the FAI for their position on this by mid-September. As the matter is in progress, Legal have not given me further details, apart from stating that there is no specific Gibson case but rather the generic review of the entire situation.”

**Lionel Ritchie** · 15/10/2007, 2:38 PM

You just know you're dealing with a wannabee tabloid-writer bullsh1tter when they say things like "an ____ insider hinted"

....An IFA insider hinted last night: "We expect the talks to put an end to the poaching wrangle. It has been going on for far too long

Translation: I'm making it up as I'm going along and this is my opinion and/or preferred option.

**paul_oshea** · 15/10/2007, 2:53 PM

Originally Posted by Lionel Ritchie

You just know you're dealing with a wannabee tabloid-writer bullsh1tter when they say things like "an ____ insider hinted"

Translation: I'm making it up as I'm going along and this is my opinion and/or preferred option.

Richie, thats exactly it. I always think that. ITs journalistic licence to talk sh1te. THey shouldn't be allowed do this anymore, cos there are lots of stupid people out there who would think it true!!!v

v

**Not Brazil** · 15/10/2007, 4:48 PM

The IFA have now issued a, somewhat brief, statement on today's meeting.

"IFA Officials met today with FIFA in Zurich to discuss player eligibility.

The IFA reaffirms its commitment to the independence of football internationally and looks forward to FIFA resolving the issue satisfactorily.

There will be no further comment from the IFA on the matter at this stage"

**backstothewall** · 15/10/2007, 5:41 PM

If the FAI lose I would expect this to end up in the courts, but it seems pretty open and shut. FIFA & UEFA didn't know better than to try to undermine freedom of movement and trade legislation when Bosman took them on, i doubt they will make the sme mistake with the GFA

**EalingGreen** · 15/10/2007, 6:01 PM

Originally Posted by backtowalsall

If the FAI lose I would expect this to end up in the courts, but it seems pretty open and shut. FIFA & UEFA didn't know better than to try to undermine freedom of movement and trade legislation when Bosman took them on, i doubt they will make the sme mistake with the GFA

Bosman and EU legislation are utterly irrelevant, since that case concerned a dispute between an Employee (Bosman) and his Employer (club). FIFA had no view on the matter, since it was nothing to do with them what terms a Belgian football club, sanctioned by the Belgian League, sought to impose on their employees.

Footballers do not earn their living by playing international football, nor are they employed by any National Association, therefore the Bosman Rules, as redefined to comply with EU Employment Law, do not apply to Gibson, the IFA or FAI.

As for the GFA, how many times does it need to be pointed out that Gibson (and all other people born anywhere in Ireland) were entitled to an Irish Passport and Citizenship long before the GFA was even dreamed of, these facts appearing to be the foundation of the FAI's case for Gibson's eligibility?

In so far as the GFA has any bearing on this case (which it doesn't, imo), it actually harms the FAI's case. This is because part of the process which led to the GFA required the Irish Government to drop its constitutional claim to NI, which it had previously pursued right from the very founding of the Irish Free State...

**eirebhoy** · 15/10/2007, 6:22 PM

I haven't been keeping track of this thread but I'm sure I'm just repeating what others have said. It's only common sense for FIFA to rule in favour of the FAI. 3 years ago this would not have been an issue. That's obviously because 3 years ago once you had a passport you could play for that country. FIFA were forced to do something when countries decided to give passports out to any player that'd improve their team. We're in a unique situation in this country and FIFA wouldn't have thought of that when they changed the rules. They'll have to alter the rules now so that Irishmen up north can represent us. Common sense. Wishful thinking from Jim Gracey.

**blobbyblob** · 22/10/2007, 3:57 PM

I believe John Delaney is in Switzerland today to receive the ruling on Gibson.

Anyone hear how it went?

**carloz** · 22/10/2007, 4:07 PM

They cant go against the FAI, it could and will get very nasty if they do. I think they will draw a line under Gibson, let him stick to the Republic, and close the door on it happening in the future. How they do this with what is stated in the Good Friday agreement I dont know.
Also i dont know if anyone has mentioned the case of Maik Taylor. There is not one iota of Northern irish blood in him. He was born in Germany to an English father and German mother and only qualifies for Northern ireland through his British passport. If Gibson is deemed ineligable for the Republic then the FAI can argue the same case for Taylor

**danonion** · 22/10/2007, 4:26 PM

There's a such thing as Northern Irish blood?

**Maroon 7** · 22/10/2007, 4:56 PM

Originally Posted by carloz

They cant go against the FAI, it could and will get very nasty if they do. I think they will draw a line under Gibson, let him stick to the Republic, and close the door on it happening in the future. How they do this with what is stated in the Good Friday agreement I dont know.
Also i dont know if anyone has mentioned the case of Maik Taylor. There is not one iota of Northern irish blood in him. He was born in Germany to an English father and German mother and only qualifies for Northern ireland through his British passport. If Gibson is deemed ineligable for the Republic then the FAI can argue the same case for Taylor

Presumably that would stop any British passport holder from just declaring for whoever he likes such is the case now?

**gspain** · 22/10/2007, 5:05 PM

Originally Posted by blobbyblob

I believe John Delaney is in Switzerland today to receive the ruling on Gibson.

Anyone hear how it went?

I believe he was just making our case today. The IFA were there last Monday.

I'd expect a ruling before th end of the month.

Maik Taylor wouldn't qualify under the new rules in place since 2004. I think DG will be OK as he declared for us in 2003. The general case is a tough call imo.

**gspain** · 22/10/2007, 5:05 PM

Originally Posted by Maroon 7

Presumably that would stop any British passport holder from just declaring for whoever he likes such is the case now?

The so called "home nations" have their own rules on this that are endorsed by FIFA.

**paul_oshea** · 22/10/2007, 6:19 PM

http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2007/1022/gibsond.html

looks like good news, actually they have changed the wording to "retrospectively", which sounds like they will be making a change from now on.

**geysir** · 23/10/2007, 9:17 AM

The Darron Gibson case was never on the FIFA agenda for review. Everything at the time of Darron's transfer was done by the book. There was not a snowballs chance that FIFA would even consider a change to Darron's registration with Ireland.

**youngirish** · 23/10/2007, 9:36 AM

Mixed news for FAI in Gibson dispute

October 23, 2007

The Football Association of Ireland has been informed that Derry-born Manchester United midfielder Darron Gibson can remain a Republic of Ireland player, but no other players with no close family links to the Republic can be drafted into squads in the future.

Gibson represented Northern Ireland at under-16 level before defecting to the Republic.

The decision was said to have been backed up by the Good Friday Agreement, which decreed that anyone born north of the border could hold an Irish passport.

In future, though, the political treaty will hold no sway in deciding the nationality of footballers in relation to the Republic of Ireland side.

Instead, Fifa rules will effectively override the Good Friday Agreement, meaning players must either be born in the Republic, or have a parent or grandparent born in the Republic, to qualify to represent teams within the FAI jurisdiction.

While Northern officials will be unhappy to lose out on Gibson, they will no doubt be celebrating a landmark ruling which ends a period of serious uncertainty within football circles north of the border.

All those points we got deducted eh EalingGreen?