FIFA To Allow N.Irish Players To Play For Eire - HibeesBounce.com

Cantona · 07-11-07, 10:36

Fifa are looking at a proposal to allow players born in Northern Ireland to play for the Republic regardless of ancestry. This has come about due to some part of the good friday agreement which says folks in the North can apply for a Republic passport. If this happens could it be the beginning of the end for Northern Ireland as a separate football association. I wonder if they will eventually go down the same road as rugby and have one team for the whole island.

Colr · 07-11-07, 10:41

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Originally Posted by Cantona
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Fifa are looking at a proposal to allow players born in Northern Ireland to play for the Republic regardless of ancestry. This has come about due to some part of the good friday agreement which says folks in the North can apply for a Republic passport. If this happens could it be the beginning of the end for Northern Ireland as a separate football association. I wonder if they will eventually go down the same road as rugby and have one team for the whole island.

Same argument could be used for Scottish players turning out for england and vice versa.

Thin end of the wedge, this.

**HailHail** · 07-11-07, 10:42

About time, though I can't see how it would have been difficult for anyone to play for Ireland over N.I if they wanted to anyway. I'd like to see a united team like they have at rugby. Oh Oh better watch, remember what happened to Neil Lennon for suggesting that hehe

**Purple & Green** · 07-11-07, 10:44

It sounds like a bit of a lazy journalist story:- citizenship of republic of Ireland means you can play for the republic of Ireland irrespective of where you were born or your bloodline.

Is there a link to the story?

Cantona · 07-11-07, 10:49

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Originally Posted by Purple & Green
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It sounds like a bit of a lazy journalist story:- citizenship of republic of Ireland means you can play for the republic of Ireland irrespective of where you were born or your bloodline.

Is there a link to the story?

It was getting discussed this morning on Alan Brazils Talksport radio show.

**Purple & Green** · 07-11-07, 10:52

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I think the thrust of what the Northern Irish FA have a problem with is this:

Anyone with a
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rent or parent born on the island of Ireland [or indeed were born on the island of Ireland themself!] is entitled under Eire law to apply for citizenship. As, under the Good Friday agreement, the republic of Ireland has dropped its constitutional claim to the north it's an anomoly that anyone with a
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rent or parent born in northern Ireland [or indeed were born in northern Ireland themself!] should be entitled to represent the republic.

Christ that's complicated. Feel free to correct anything I have factually wrong
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Colr · 07-11-07, 10:54

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Originally Posted by Purple & Green
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I think the thrust of what the Northern Irish FA have a problem with is this:

Anyone with a
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rent or parent born on the island of Ireland is entitled under Eire law to apply for citizenship. As, under the Good Friday agreement, the republic of Ireland has dropped its constitutional claim to the north it's an anomoly that anyone with a
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rent or parent born in northern Ireland should be entitled to represent the republic.

Christ that's complicated. Feel free to correct anything I have factually wrong
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Should it not work both ways?

Colr · 07-11-07, 10:55

What's the rule with British Dependencies? I'm thinking of John Barnes, who, I think, was Jamaican.

Cantona · 07-11-07, 10:59

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Originally Posted by Colr
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Should it not work both ways?

I dont know it will because can someone in the South with no British ancestory apply for a UK passport.

**Purple & Green** · 07-11-07, 11:06

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Originally Posted by Colr
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Should it not work both ways?

Possibly, but then you are opening things out.

To play for Northern Ireland you need a british passport, to play for the republic you need an irish passport. Anyone born in Northern Ireland will probably be entitled to both. Anyone born in the republic will probably be entitled soley to an Irish passport.

Why not allow dutch and belgians to represent either country? I'm not convinced about making a special case for Ireland.

AndyM · 07-11-07, 11:43

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Originally Posted by Colr
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Same argument could be used for Scottish players turning out for england and vice versa.

Thin end of the wedge, this.

Agree Col .

I actually think this ruling is total bollocks and open to meddling from bullshit agenda merchants that FIFA probably haven't realised.
If a player cannot qualify for 'the country of their choice' through the
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rent rule then tough they are not entitle to play for that country.

This is a can of worms being opened.

**Purple & Green** · 07-11-07, 11:52

There's a history to this

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top right of that page for the previous

**HailHail** · 07-11-07, 15:47

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Originally Posted by Colr
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What's the rule with British Dependencies? I'm thinking of John Barnes, who, I think, was Jamaican.

mind the Cayman Islands tried to cap Ged Brannan, is that no a brit dependency?

Smurf · 07-11-07, 15:49

Does the whole island of Ireland unite behind the Rugby team?

**wee 162** · 07-11-07, 15:59

This isn't news. Anyone born in Ireland has been entitled to an Irish passport ever since the Free State was set up, and would therefore have been entitled to have played for Ireland since citizenship was given as a criteria for playing.

Deco is not Portugese. He got citizenship of Portugal because he was resident in the country whilst playing for Porto. His citizenship was rushed through by the Portugese government just in time for Euro 2004 iirc?

Colr · 07-11-07, 17:18

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Originally Posted by Smurf
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Does the whole island of Ireland unite behind the Rugby team?

Not the gaelic sports brigade. They see it as a game from English (and Scots) colonisers.

irishhibee88 · 07-11-07, 18:10

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Originally Posted by Colr
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Not the gaelic sports brigade. They see it as a game from English (and Scots) colonisers.

Not strictly true personally I dont know any nationalists who have anything against the Irish rugby team. A lot of people have a stereotype that Rugby fans are more "high-brow" than soccer fans if anything.
Also if Darren Gibson holds an Irish passport and views himself as Irish why should he not be entitled to choose the Republic over NI?

Colr · 07-11-07, 18:15

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Originally Posted by irishhibee88
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Not strictly true personally I dont know any nationalists who have anything against the Irish rugby team. A lot of people have a stereotype that Rugby fans are more "high-brow" than soccer fans if anything.
Also if Darren Gibson holds an Irish passport and views himself as Irish why should he not be entitled to choose the Republic over NI?

There was a bit of resistance to them playing rugby at Croke Park as I recall. Maybe this wasn't representative but its were I got the impression that there was some antipathy to the game from.

**SG7nil** · 07-11-07, 18:24

I seem to remember that a similar situation exists in Britain, whereby people from the Channel Islands can chose which nation (Eng, Wal, Scot, N I) they would like to represent.. cos theoretically Matt Le tissier could have played for Scotland.. (bet he wishes he had, cos he was ignored by England once they had tied him up and he could have done a great job for another team!
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)

**alexi** · 07-11-07, 18:33

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Originally Posted by Colr
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There was a bit of resistance to them playing rugby at Croke Park as I recall. Maybe this wasn't representative but its were I got the impression that there was some antipathy to the game from.

I seem to recall that there were protests about the Egg Chasing being held there. I saw some of the game and the
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s zoomed in on a guy holding a sign saying No British Sports......shame he was wearing a full Celtc tracksuit..fanny.

My mum was born in Norn Iron but had the option of a UK or Irish passport. I was under the impression that that option was open for anyone still.
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GalegoHibs · 07-11-07, 20:31

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Originally Posted by Purple & Green
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I think the thrust of what the Northern Irish FA have a problem with is this:

Anyone with a
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rent or parent born on the island of Ireland [or indeed were born on the island of Ireland themself!] is entitled under Eire law to apply for citizenship. As, under the Good Friday agreement, the republic of Ireland has dropped its constitutional claim to the north it's an anomoly that anyone with a
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rent or parent born in northern Ireland [or indeed were born in northern Ireland themself!] should be entitled to represent the republic.

Christ that's complicated. Feel free to correct anything I have factually wrong
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Wasn't aware of this but it seems pretty civilised to me. Certainly in political terms and I don't see any reason to object to players choosing to play for either Eire or NI pro

07-11-07, 10:36	#1
Cantona Nutty Radge Join Date: May 2004 Location: Edinburgh West Age: 40 Posts: 695 My Mood: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Rep Power: 6	FIFA To Allow N.Irish Players To Play For Eire Fifa are looking at a proposal to allow players born in Northern Ireland to play for the Republic regardless of ancestry. This has come about due to some part of the good friday agreement which says folks in the North can apply for a Republic passport. If this happens could it be the beginning of the end for Northern Ireland as a separate football association. I wonder if they will eventually go down the same road as rugby and have one team for the whole island. __________________ All That Rugby Puts Hairs On Your Chest What Chance Have You Got Against A Tie And A Crest

07-11-07, 10:42	#3
HailHail PEG SELLING RADGE Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Embra Age: 30 Posts: 5,597 My Mood: Thanks: 202 Thanked 60 Times in 33 Posts Rep Power: 12	Re: FIFA To Allow N.Irish Players To Play For Eire About time, though I can't see how it would have been difficult for anyone to play for Ireland over N.I if they wanted to anyway. I'd like to see a united team like they have at rugby. Oh Oh better watch, remember what happened to Neil Lennon for suggesting that hehe __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

07-11-07, 10:44	#4
Purple & Green Admin & Hibs Historian Radge Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Nitten Posts: 6,862 My Mood: Thanks: 9 Thanked 28 Times in 18 Posts Rep Power: 17	Re: FIFA To Allow N.Irish Players To Play For Eire It sounds like a bit of a lazy journalist story:- citizenship of republic of Ireland means you can play for the republic of Ireland irrespective of where you were born or your bloodline. Is there a link to the story? __________________ It's the hope I can't stand Currently researching: Nothing, for now. Currently working on: To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

07-11-07, 10:52	#6
Purple & Green Admin & Hibs Historian Radge Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Nitten Posts: 6,862 My Mood: Thanks: 9 Thanked 28 Times in 18 Posts Rep Power: 17	Re: FIFA To Allow N.Irish Players To Play For Eire To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. I think the thrust of what the Northern Irish FA have a problem with is this: Anyone with a To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. rent or parent born on the island of Ireland [or indeed were born on the island of Ireland themself!] is entitled under Eire law to apply for citizenship. As, under the Good Friday agreement, the republic of Ireland has dropped its constitutional claim to the north it's an anomoly that anyone with a To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. rent or parent born in northern Ireland [or indeed were born in northern Ireland themself!] should be entitled to represent the republic. Christ that's complicated. Feel free to correct anything I have factually wrong To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. __________________ It's the hope I can't stand Currently researching: Nothing, for now. Currently working on: To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

07-11-07, 10:55	#8
Colr The Radge Doon the Road Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: London Age: 41 Posts: 21,373 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Rep Power: 38	Re: FIFA To Allow N.Irish Players To Play For Eire What's the rule with British Dependencies? I'm thinking of John Barnes, who, I think, was Jamaican. __________________ There is a simple answer to every question..........and it's wrong. Einstein

07-11-07, 11:52	#12
Purple & Green Admin & Hibs Historian Radge Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Nitten Posts: 6,862 My Mood: Thanks: 9 Thanked 28 Times in 18 Posts Rep Power: 17	Re: FIFA To Allow N.Irish Players To Play For Eire There's a history to this To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. top right of that page for the previous __________________ It's the hope I can't stand Currently researching: Nothing, for now. Currently working on: To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

07-11-07, 15:49	#14
Smurf Away doing some work for a few weeks Join Date: May 2003 Location: Suburbia Age: 35 Posts: 22,572 My Mood: Thanks: 16 Thanked 13 Times in 10 Posts Rep Power: 0	Re: FIFA To Allow N.Irish Players To Play For Eire Does the whole island of Ireland unite behind the Rugby team?

07-11-07, 15:59	#15
wee 162 Bounce Flag Co-Owner Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Sunny Leith Age: 34 Posts: 12,685 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Rep Power: 32	Re: FIFA To Allow N.Irish Players To Play For Eire This isn't news. Anyone born in Ireland has been entitled to an Irish passport ever since the Free State was set up, and would therefore have been entitled to have played for Ireland since citizenship was given as a criteria for playing. Deco is not Portugese. He got citizenship of Portugal because he was resident in the country whilst playing for Porto. His citizenship was rushed through by the Portugese government just in time for Euro 2004 iirc? __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. quality='high' bgcolor='#006699' width='300' height='184' name='indecision_2008_action_item' align='middle' allowScriptAccess='always' allownetworking='external' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' pluginspage=' To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. who seek to be equal with men lack ambition.” Timothy Leary

07-11-07, 18:24	#19
SG7nil Pedantic Fact Hunting Radge Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Where the Chief puts the Sunshine Posts: 2,629 My Mood: Thanks: 141 Thanked 116 Times in 63 Posts Rep Power: 7	Re: FIFA To Allow N.Irish Players To Play For Eire I seem to remember that a similar situation exists in Britain, whereby people from the Channel Islands can chose which nation (Eng, Wal, Scot, N I) they would like to represent.. cos theoretically Matt Le tissier could have played for Scotland.. (bet he wishes he had, cos he was ignored by England once they had tied him up and he could have done a great job for another team! To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. ) __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.