NI boss targets Republic's Gibson

[Drumcondra 69er]

Sadly not. The mistake here is in the 3rd line. What worries FIFA is that any country can give passports to whoever they want, it means nothing. They are in seriouos danger of getting into the situation that athletics is in that Middle Eastern countries will give passports to talented Brazilian footballers to play for them. Can we all agree this is not the point of International football. Therefore you cant use passports as the deciding factor. FIFA have decided to use place of birth. They have also, preumably decided not to have an Irish excpetion (that's a pity I think).

One thought, I keep hearing how Carlo Cudicini is elgible to play for England now through residency. Is this true and if so isnt the solution for th epeople in question to live and play in the south for a few years?

Yes that is the solution, think it's 2 years. It's hardly likely though given that a talented footballer will probably be with an English club by the time he's 16.

That was how Olivera who knocked us out of the 98 WC play off for Belgium was allowed to play despite being Brazillian which was farcical in itself. It's ludoucris that someone like that is more eligible then someone born in the 6 counties who has their affinity with the ROI team and it's a sectarain stance from the IFA despite their spin. It should be a matter of choice for the individual player given the policits of the area and an exception should be made. The government got involved when the passport rule was changed last year, intetrested to see what their response will be now.

[eelmonster]

Who's to say these potential players haven't lived in the south? Will FIFA be looking for telephone and rates bills to prove residency.

Anyway, as mentioned above, no decision, with the exception of the decision made in respect of the Gibson case, has been taken. It's most likely FIFA will add an Irish clause similar to those in operation wit the UK and Balkan football associations.

[Dodge]

One thought, I keep hearing how Carlo Cudicini is elgible to play for England now through residency. Is this true and if so isnt the solution for th epeople in question to live and play in the south for a few years?

Its 5 years before Irish residents can apply for citizenship. Not going to happen

[Absinthe]

Yes that is the solution, think it's 2 years. It's hardly likely though given that a talented footballer will probably be with an English club by the time he's 16.

That was how Olivera who knocked us out of the 98 WC play off for Belgium was allowed to play despite being Brazillian which was farcical in itself. It's ludoucris that someone like that is more eligible then someone born in the 6 counties who has their affinity with the ROI team and it's a sectarain stance from the IFA despite their spin. It should be a matter of choice for the individual player given the policits of the area and an exception should be made. The government got involved when the passport rule was changed last year, intetrested to see what their response will be now.

Its no more sectarian, than wanting to play for a country to which you have no links. Why should special dispensation be allowed to people in Northern Ireland over everyone else in Europe?

Partition occured circa 1921. How long do you think 'special' deals should be made? As ive already said, the people who this affects, have not been born or bred in Ireland for 3 generations. How long can people claim to be another nationality? Your getting as bad as the Americans, who are 1/8 irish, 1/4 Dutch etc.....

The rules only require someone to live in the country that they proclaim to love so much for 2 years, and acquire citizenship. Northern Irish nationalists have already achieved the harder of these two statutes.

[cavan_fan]

it's a sectarain stance from the IFA despite their spin.

I actually dont think it is. I think they dont want to lose players. I'd do the same!

[cavan_fan]

Who's to say these potential players haven't lived in the south? Will FIFA be looking for telephone and rates bills to prove residency.

Anyway, as mentioned above, no decision, with the exception of the decision made in respect of the Gibson case, has been taken. It's most likely FIFA will add an Irish clause similar to those in operation wit the UK and Balkan football associations.

I dont think it would take Sherlock Holmes to work out Gibson hasnt been living in Ireland recently

[Dodge]

How long can people claim to be another nationality? Your getting as bad as the Americans, who are 1/8 irish, 1/4 Dutch etc.....

You're not doing yourself any favours with posts as flippant as this. Don't do it again. We all know the political situation, and we all know how each other feels about it...

[as_i_say]

Hopefully the next Irish nordie that wants to play for us will have a dublin born granny and there won't be this issue. Its just unfortunate for him that his next of kin were all born in the 6 counties like him.

I'm sure worthington and his "Irish" FA brigade knew they would never be able to convince Gibson back anyway.

[Absinthe]

You're not doing yourself any favours with posts as flippant as this. Don't do it again. We all know the political situation, and we all know how each other feels about it...

I genuinely wasnt trying to cause offence, and apologise to anyone if I did.

As I have asked 3 times, what makes the Irish situation unique enough to deserve its own statute that allows the FAI to pick players from another country, who have no tangible ties to the Republic of Ireland.

You can bet that this is a/the question that FIFA will have asked.

Before responding, please bear in mind that FIFA, have already ruled that a passport is insufficent in 2004.

[Ireland4ever]

As I have asked 3 times, what makes the Irish situation unique enough to deserve its own statute that allows the FAI to pick players from another country, who have no tangible ties to the Republic of Ireland.

Are you for real or just a wind-up merchant?

[Maroon 7]

Its no more sectarian, than wanting to play for a country to which you have no links. Why should special dispensation be allowed to people in Northern Ireland over everyone else in Europe?

Partition occured circa 1921. How long do you think 'special' deals should be made? As ive already said, the people who this affects, have not been born or bred in Ireland for 3 generations. How long can people claim to be another nationality? Your getting as bad as the Americans, who are 1/8 irish, 1/4 Dutch etc.....

The rules only require someone to live in the country that they proclaim to love so much for 2 years, and acquire citizenship. Northern Irish nationalists have already achieved the harder of these two statutes.

And there is the problem of the north wrapped up in a nutshell. One group of people trying to tell another what they are and are not.

[Maroon 7]

As I have asked 3 times, what makes the Irish situation unique enough to deserve its own statute that allows the FAI to pick players from another country, who have no tangible ties to the Republic of Ireland.

No tangible ties other than the fact that they are Irish citizens through birth.

They don't get given passports out of a cornflakes box you know.

[SuperDave]

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

The FAI could if they had any claim over Maik Taylor, but they don't. They could probably send an observation to FIFA. Personally, I think any future player from the north, who wants to play for the FAI, could take FIFA and the IFA to court, probably eventually the ECHR, and succeed.

[co. down green]

As mentioned yesterday no decision has been made by FIFA, the BBC have altered their initial story and IFA exec. Hard Wells has released a statement claiming that FIFA gave given no indication as to a possible outcome.

Today's Irish News editorial pretty much summed up nationalist feeling in the North about the issue 'The IFA would be better concentrating on players who actually want to play for their team'

[Dodge]

As I have asked 3 times, what makes the Irish situation unique enough to deserve its own statute that allows the FAI to pick players from another country, who have no tangible ties to the Republic of Ireland

You know damn well. Seriously, this is a mod warning; Don't be posting things just for effect

[Drumcondra 69er]

Its no more sectarian, than wanting to play for a country to which you have no links. Why should special dispensation be allowed to people in Northern Ireland over everyone else in Europe?

Partition occured circa 1921. How long do you think 'special' deals should be made? As ive already said, the people who this affects, have not been born or bred in Ireland for 3 generations. How long can people claim to be another nationality? Your getting as bad as the Americans, who are 1/8 irish, 1/4 Dutch etc.....

The rules only require someone to live in the country that they proclaim to love so much for 2 years, and acquire citizenship. Northern Irish nationalists have already achieved the harder of these two statutes.

'Have no links'??? It's sectarian in that it's aimed at people who don't feel any afinity to the 6 counties as a statelet and wish to represent the tradition on the island that they do have an afinity to and feel they belong to. They are already entitled to citizenship. You know as well as anyone on here and probably better then mosty that there's a unique situation in the 6 counties and comparing it to other areas is childish in the extreme. Let's be honest you're only trawling here trying to get a reaction in any case.

It'll be a temporary thing anyway, the english can't wait to wash their hands of the north, your own politicians are already looking to get matching corporation tax rates etc as there is in the south, it's all just small steps on the road to reunification, 20 years should do it.....

[Absinthe]

The FAI could if they had any claim over Maik Taylor, but they don't. They could probably send an observation to FIFA. Personally, I think any future player from the north, who wants to play for the FAI, could take FIFA and the IFA to court, probably eventually the ECHR, and succeed.

FIFA will only deal with the CAS. The ECHR have absoutely no sway with FIFA whatsoever. FIFA govern the tournament, therefore to play in the tournament you have to meet FIFA's requirements.

You dont have to take my word for it, it is well documented.

And I am not here 'on a wind up'.

[Absinthe]

'Have no links'??? It's sectarian in that it's aimed at people who don't feel any afinity to the 6 counties as a statelet and wish to represent the tradition on the island that they do have an afinity to and feel they belong to. They are already entitled to citizenship. You know as well as anyone on here and probably better then mosty that there's a unique situation in the 6 counties and comparing it to other areas is childish in the extreme. Let's be honest you're only trawling here trying to get a reaction in any case.

It'll be a temporary thing anyway, the english can't wait to wash their hands of the north, your own politicians are already looking to get matching corporation tax rates etc as there is in the south, it's all just small steps on the road to reunification, 20 years should do it.....

Citizenship in the sense of holding a passport is not enough to represent a country at football, you can thank FIFA and Qatar for that. That has nothing to do with me. I am trying to deal with facts.

And I am not trying to tell anybody who they are, I myself would regard myself as Irish over British everytime. I am trying to point out that the GFA and holding an Irish passport is irrelevant in the context of playing international football.

If you could look at things objectively, removing all the political baggage from it, why should two FA's be able to pick people from one territory?

Its not even a solely Irish issue, should for example the Slovakian and the Czech Republician FA's be able to pick anyone born within the former Czechoslovakia?

[eirebhoy]

Its not even a solely Irish issue, should for example the Slovakian and the Czech Republician FA's be able to pick anyone born within the former Czechoslovakia?

Slovakia has always been there. It's not as if they decided to break away and invent their own language. It can't be compared with our situation.

[Drumcondra 69er]

If you could look at things objectively, removing all the political baggage from it, why should two FA's be able to pick people from one territory?

Its not even a solely Irish issue, should for example the Slovakian and the Czech Republician FA's be able to pick anyone born within the former Czechoslovakia?

Again, that's an irrelevant comparrison, you are talking about 2 seperate nations there that were artificially combined for a period, I don't believe there's any part of Slovkia where a large prtion of the population consider themselves Czechs or vice versa.

As as been said, no decision has officially been made on this as yet, the media have jumped the gun on it.