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Northern Ireland footballers can play for Republic, says FIFA chief
Monday, 2 March 2009
The ongoing row over whether football players from Northern Ireland can play for the Republic took another twist at the weekend.
FIFA President Sepp Blatter — one of the world’s most senior footballing figures — told journalists at a press conference that, in effect, the Dublin-based Football Association of Ireland could take their pick of players born and developed in Northern Ireland.
The news has angered chiefs at the Belfast-based Irish Football Association, who had hoped that FIFA eligibility rules would apply. These state that that players need to have lived in a country for a number of years or have direct ancestors who were born in that country.
Mr Blatter was in Newcastle, Co Down, for a top level football conference.
When asked at a media briefing whether players born in Northern Ireland could play for the Republic, he replied: “As long as they haven’t played for Northern Ireland. This is done.”
And when further pressed as to whether he was backing the FAI position over the IFA he said: “Yes.”
The development is a blow for the IFA, who had been concerned about losing some of Northern Ireland’s best players to their southern counterparts.
Among these are Manchester United player and Londonderry native Darron Gibson, and Marc Wilson of Portsmouth, who is originally from Northern Ireland.
The issue has been the subject of much discussion and controversy in recent years. FIFA is expected to make a definitive ruling on the matter later this month.
IFA spokesman Geoff Wilson said he believed that the current FIFA regulations concerning the four conditions of eligibility should be upheld.
“We will not be sitting back,” he said.
“The IFA will have further talks and will be seeking clarification from FIFA on this matter.”
Gary McAllister, from the Amalgamation of Northern Ireland Supporter’s Clubs, also said the matter must be clarified.
“We feel strongly that FIFA’s rules should be properly enforced,” he said.
“The key thing is for FIFA to clarify what the rules are once and for all as to whether people are eligible to play for the Republic of Ireland despite having been born in Northern Ireland.
“We would be particularly concerned that young players who have played for Northern Ireland at youth international level would then appear to be attracted to going to the Republic of Ireland, with the IFA having invested time and resources in developing those players. We feel very strongly that that is something which has to be addressed.”
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104 Comments
I feel the players who choose the ROI are obviously of nationalist persuasion and want to play for the ROI, whereas the David Healy's and the Kyle Lafferty's will choose N Ireland. N Ireland can't force these guys to play for N Ireland when they want to represent the ROI
Posted by David | 02.09.09, 14:00 GMT
You can force men to play for a football team. Have your N Ireland soccer team in your 6 counties, we, on the other hand, are a 32 county nation in mind, body and spirit. Suck it up like men then build a bridge and get over it.
Posted by Olive Deane | 28.03.09, 15:27 GMT
Mickey,At rugby internationals protocol is observed at the start by playing the Irish National anthem, the irish tricolour is flown which symbolises peace and equality between orange and green (what possible offence could any reasonable person from either commu ity take against this flag?). These are the only
soft poltical manifestations at rugby games. Also the people in the citadel of gealdom are mature enough to respect "God Save the Queen" when the England team visits. Could you ever envisage The Soldiers Song being played at Windsor Park, much less respected, if the IFA and FAI teams were to meet again? No, me neither.
At Windsor Park however hardline unionists use "international" games as an excuse for unionist triumphalism by doing things like adding the words "No Surrender" to the English National Anthem, etc etc. In other words for the entire 90 minutes unionist triumphalism is in your face and the sporting aspect is of a secondary nature.Now do you see the difference?
Posted by Tony | 10.03.09, 16:56 GMT
Jeremy, the similarities appear lost on you. Some (in NI) want the IFA to bin what they suggest are unionist only symbols as the NI team is not representative of them. Some (in NI) want the IRFU to bin what they suggest are Irish Republican only symbols as the(all) "Ireland" rugby team is not representative of them.
Explain to me how the two scenarios are different...?
Posted by mickey | 09.03.09, 10:47 GMT
The Republic of Ireland take down their republican symbols and anthems? Are you being serious?
I understand your thoughts that windsor park have become more accomodating so the south should do the same.
There is a fundamental difference between the North and the South. Nearly half the population of the North dont want to be part of the "union". So thats quite a lot of people who live in the country who find unionist symbols unwelcoming. Unlike the south where 100% of the population want to be part of the republic and none of the people of the country find republican symbols offensive. I know this, you know this and I cant wait to get out of this place!
Posted by Jeremey, Belfast | 07.03.09, 04:39 GMT
Tony, I personally know two nationalists who support NI - and that's just me.
As for teams not being representative of one's community, perhaps now you sympathise with non nationalists/republicans and the (de facto Republic of) Ireland rugby team.
In order to dispel accusations of hypocrisy, I know you'll be behind me I say that the time has come for the IRFU to make Croke/Landsdowne a warm house for unionists/Protestants by ditching all the republican symbols and anthems. I personally know many who will swell the fan base if the IRFU take this course of action.
So Tony, how does one go about petitioning the IFA and IRFU to make the requisite changes. What are your ideas?
Mark, I've been to three (de facto Republic of) Ireland matches in Dublin, the first being over 10 years ago. Each time, I hoped there would be a less intimidating Republican triumphalist environment. Each time I was proved wrong and I've no intention of going back until this is addressed.
Posted by mickey | 04.03.09, 15:34 GMT
Mickey, I do not know a single nationalist who supports the North of Ireland side. I myself have attended many North of Ireland games in the past (though never ever felt that the team was representing me or my community)and would do so again if there was a particular player or opposing team I wanted to see. However many of my mates wouldn't set foot in Windsor Park to save their lives.
The team has come to make Windsor Park a warm house for nationalists/catholics by ditching all unionist symbols and anthems and maybe that way the IFA will retain players and increase its support
Posted by Tony | 04.03.09, 12:50 GMT
mickey.
How many Ireland rugby matches have you been to? Yet again your ignorance of this issue is astonishing and tainted with staunch intolerance....Where is this 'home end' that you refer to because I've never seen it!
Posted by mark | 04.03.09, 12:47 GMT
TERRY: "How can you be cross community when N.I games are made up of exclusively unionist anthems, flags, songs and chants."
Are there parallels with Irish rugby here too?
Posted by mickey | 04.03.09, 11:16 GMT
Tony> Unionists “respect” the Irish Anthem & flag through gritted teeth. Some do not take their seat until just before kick-off. Others sit down or turn away from the field of play during the playing of the Soldier’s Song – and are often subjected to ridicule from “fellow” fans, as are those who daringly bring NI flags – creating a farcical & very hostile atmosphere in the “home end”.
Why do you care one jot what anthem NI uses, since you do not even recognised NI. How/why are you alienated from something you do not even acknowledge the existence of?
I can respect the use of the Soldier’s Song when used by the FAI at RoI football matches, since it is the anthem of the RoI. I’ll never respect it as the anthem of a rugby side which pretends to represent me. That’s the difference.
A report in 2006 suggested almost 5% of NI’s fan base came from traditionally nationalist communities. Its probably risen since then. What do you make of these nationalists who support NI??
Posted by mickey | 03.03.09, 16:21 GMT
Russell the players you mention had no choice (Jennings and O'Neill have always advocated an All Ireland side) and its to their eternal credit that they were so broad minded, often in the face of sectarian abuse, particularly Rogan and Lennon. However to-day they have a choice and the likes of Gibson and Wilson are now exercising it.
Posted by Tony | 03.03.09, 16:07 GMT
Unless I'm mistaken the 'unified' 'Ireland' rugby team has won the 6/5 nations how many times in the last 50 years... Amm little or none, so how would merging the football teams provide any success?
It was tried under the name of a Shamrock Rovers XI v Brazil and it didn't work.
Northern Ireland fans don't care about the result, we are used to power showings, but when we get the big wins against the England's, Spains and Sweden's of the world come it makes the victory even sweeter and enjoyable. We wouldn't change that for anything!
Posted by Just Ask Sammy Clingan | 03.03.09, 15:49 GMT
Russell " If Martin O'Neill, Pat Jennings, Anton Rogan, Neil Lennon, Gerry Armstrong (to name but a few) can do it, why not Nationalist supporters? "
Russell four of the five you mention above are all on record as stating that the received shocking sectarian treatment from their own supporters during their playing days at Windsor Park.
Also worth remembering that O'Neill,Jennings,Lennon, Brian Hamilton, Dougan & Best are/were all in favour of an all Ireland football team.
Posted by Terry | 03.03.09, 15:43 GMT
If Martin O'Neill, Pat Jennings, Anton Rogan, Neil Lennon, Gerry Armstrong (to name but a few) can do it, why not Nationalist supporters? (Potential or otherwise).
Posted by Russell | 03.03.09, 14:58 GMT
Russell you fail to see my point. Unionists "respect" the Irish Anthem and the French anthem etc because its not being played in "their" country, as they perceive it.
Unfortuantely the English National anthem is used exclusively by the IFA in a deeply divided society in this part of Ireland despite the fact that 45% of the population disown it.
I have no problem respectng the English national anthem at events in London, Manchester etc but I will never respect it as the anthem of my country. Thats the difference.
Attendances at Windsor Park may have grown but sadly the support forthcoming from nationalists remains negligible
Posted by Tony | 03.03.09, 14:07 GMT
Terry: "How can you be cross community when N.I games are made up of exclusively unionist anthems, flags, songs and chants."
Are there parallels with Irish ruby here too?
Posted by mickey | 03.03.09, 13:33 GMT
The "Ireland" rugby team laughably purports to be cross community, except when you get there you have republican triumphalism in your face. And yet this rugby team purports to be representative of both Northern AND Southern Irish fans of rugby?! A thousand Northern Unionists support the "Irish" rugby teams because alas there is no Northern Ireland rugby team for them to support. An NIRFU (Northern Ireland Rugby Football Union) should breakaway and form like the FAI.
It's quite simple. The IRFU either allows the anthem and flag of NI alongside those of Southern Ireland - OR NONE AT ALL. Acceptable? If not, then why should it be unacceptable for (even more) nationalists in NI to respect NI's anthem and flag at football matches?
The NI football side represents NI only and all those who wish to support it. The "Ireland" rugby side purports to represent both Northern & Southern Ireland.
Now do you see the difference?
Posted by mickey | 03.03.09, 13:32 GMT
Tony - your argument highlights my point.
Many Protestant/Unionist ulster rugby union followers take no offence standing at an Irelnad rugby game. They show respect NO MATTER WHAT THEIR POLITICAL VIEWS ARE.
What is soo offensive about the Red Hand flag? Or the Union Flag? (Although I freely admit I'd rather we had our own anthem and the Union flag have less relevance).
And where is this 'negligable' support you talk of? There has been a vast increase in the suporrt for NI. Also, NI fans have been commended by UEFA.
Posted by Russell | 03.03.09, 13:05 GMT
It's great to go to Windsor Park these days and sample the wonderfully inclusive family atmosphere and watch a Northern Ireland football team largely made up of Northern Ireland born footballers. That's the way it should be. Long may it continue.
It's regrettable that the Irish Republic's football team continues to be dominated by players and coaching staff born outside the Irish Republic.
Posted by Phoney | 03.03.09, 12:57 GMT
Why do so many people not even show the respect for the Northern Ireland name? I repect the RoI. I respect the GAA (even though their track record isn't squeaky clean). I respect the IRFU.
The very fact that a lot of people don't even acknowledge the name, or be repectful of other views says alot more about them than it does about the Northern Ireland football team, or players who choose to play for it.
Posted by Russell | 03.03.09, 12:47 GMT
104 Comments