NI boss targets Republic's Gibson

[liaml]

And I am not trying to tell anybody who they are

No - When you tell people they "have no tangibe connection to the ROI" when, from birth, they have been a citizen of the ROI that is precisely what you are doing.

[cavan_fan]

The FAI need to offer FIFA an out on this. I'd suggest that they say this is different to e.g. Qatar in that we offer a passport to anyone born in a certain area. I'm fairly sure Qatar won't offer a passport to all Brazilians.

[Metrostars]

So what about someone like Eduardo da Silva? No ties at all to Croatia yet he plays for them. I know he played for Croatia underage teams before these new rules but would a player in his situation be able to play for them now?

[Dodge]

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?

What are national sides if not political baggage?

[Drumcondra 69er]

So what about someone like Eduardo da Silva? No ties at all to Croatia yet he plays for them. I know he played for Croatia underage teams before these new rules but would a player in his situation be able to play for them now?

If he's lived there long enough then yes.

[Absinthe]

No - When you tell people they "have no tangibe connection to the ROI" when, from birth, they have been a citizen of the ROI that is precisely what you are doing.

I meant in a footballing sense. I apologise for the ambiguity.

[Absinthe]

The FAI need to offer FIFA an out on this. I'd suggest that they say this is different to e.g. Qatar in that we offer a passport to anyone born in a certain area. I'm fairly sure Qatar won't offer a passport to all Brazilians.

But that is the very thing they are trying to prevent. A country can offer a passport to anyone they like (even a whole country if they wanted to):-

e.g. Emauele Olisadebe was a Nigerian who became a polish International solely because they gave him a passport.

This is the key thing they are trying to stop.

Another example the other way is Switzerland, where you have to be approved for Citizenship by the local council (or equivilant). There are families that have been living in Switzerland for 3 generations, that are still not Swiss nationals. Should they be barred from playing football for Switzerland? Who should they play for?

My point is, the worlds a big place, and lots of people have 'political baggage', I dont see why you think Northern Irish Nationalists should have their own rule different from everyone else.

What are national sides if not political baggage?

Im trying not to get into a whole political debate, and appear to be failing miserably.

[Absinthe]

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.

Point taken, my Slovakian history wouldnt be the best.

[Drumcondra 69er]

My point is, the worlds a big place, and lots of people have 'political baggage', I dont see why you think Northern Irish Nationalists should have their own rule different from everyone else.


Im trying not to get into a whole political debate, and appear to be failing miserably.

Because it's a fairly unique situation. If we really want to start spliting hairs then why should England, Scotland, Wales and the 6 counties be allowed have their own individual teams? Surely one United Kingdom team should cover all? It's only for historical reasons and the fact that they were 4 of the original associations that it's tolerated hence why the UK doesn't compete in Olympics football.

[galwayhoop]

personally i think if the result of this is that people from the 6c can no longer play for us then the government should take up the baton and not just the Fai. after all it is, no matter what anyone tells you, an issue with massive political implications.

[galwayhoop]

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?

seriously i nearly fell off the seat laughing after reading this!!!

how long can people in the 6c claim to be brits. i mean how many generations have passed since they were planted in the 1600's!!!!!

3 generations since they were born in Ireland indeed.

You are a serious WUM

[cavan_fan]

But that is the very thing they are trying to prevent. A country can offer a passport to anyone they like (even a whole country if they wanted to):-

e.g. Emauele Olisadebe was a Nigerian who became a polish International solely because they gave him a passport.

But my point was that Poland would not want to make all Nigerians elgible for a Polish passport to get one player.

[geysir]

So what about someone like Eduardo da Silva? No ties at all to Croatia yet he plays for them. I know he played for Croatia underage teams before these new rules but would a player in his situation be able to play for them now?

Yes, he moved to Croatia, became a citizen and plays for the Nation team.

If he had played underage for Brazil before he went there, he would have had to declare for Croatia before he reached the age of 21.

Any word on Freddy Adu, is it agreed that his friendly cap against Canada ties him down to the USA?

[Absinthe]

personally i think if the result of this is that people from the 6c can no longer play for us then the government should take up the baton and not just the Fai. after all it is, no matter what anyone tells you, an issue with massive political implications.

FIFA will not respond to goverment pressure. Recently, the Greek goverment (i think!) put pressure on FIFA over an issue, and FIFA threatened to throw the Greek team out of its tournaments.

FIFA will only act on the recomendations of the CAS.

But my point was that Poland would not want to make all Nigerians elgible for a Polish passport to get one player.

True, but for example in europe where borders are more fluid, Holland could easily offer passports to all Belgians to get players, safe in the knowledge that they wouldnt get an influx of 'foriegn' nationals.

[OneRedArmy]

Its a difficult situation.

What FIFA are trying to do, in general, is admirable (stopping people "choosing" what country to represent).

However, like many people born in Northern Ireland I consider myself Irish (with a capital I) and hold only an Irish passport. I have no interest in supporting the North (nor would I have represented them if I had been good enough).

Clearly this impacts not just Ireland but also other nations with contested borders and "enclaves" with loyalties to other neighbouring countries.

I can't see the FAI winning this one unfortunately.

Is your place of birth on your passport taken directly from your birth certificate?

[backstothewall]

I don't see how the FAI can lose on this one. FIFA are subserviant to the law like anyone else.

a similar situation might exist in Bosnia, with Bosnian-Croats or Bosnian-Serbs playing for Croatia or Serbia respectively. Anyone know if this is the case?

[Not Brazil]

I have no interest in supporting the North (nor would I have represented them if I had been good enough).

I have to say, I respect that...it's very honest.

It's the mealy mouthed "if only they did this, that and the other, I'd support them" brigade that get on my tits.

That makes them plastic ROI fans really.

[shakermaker1982]

That is why I'm upset at this latest ruling. Guys like OneRedArmy (if a fantastic pro footballer) would not be allowed to play for the Republic no longer.

I don't want to see the FAI hoovering up talent from the north, but if a kid/young lad wants to play for us and has an Irish passport then he should be allowed to pursue his dream.

[backstothewall]

It's the mealy mouthed "if only they did this, that and the other, I'd support them" brigade that get on my tits.

I would give you guys a cheer if you dropped gstq and the butchers handkerchief, but i could never support you. Picked my team i'm afraid, and you can't change.

I am an ROI fan awaiting an all ireland side and all this nonsense being put to bed.

[NeilMcD]

Is it not Butchers Apron.