blow for "Our Wee Country"

[Lecale2]

The Court of Arbitration for Sport has ruled that anyone born in the 6 counties can be selected to play soccer for the Republic of Ireland. There is no right of appeal.

[Orior]

[Keyser soze]

Should the thread title not be;

"Blow for "YOUR Wee Country"!'

[lynchbhoy]

The Court of Arbitration for Sport has ruled that anyone born in the 6 counties can be selected to play soccer for the Republic of Ireland. There is no right of appeal.

so they also then effectively agree that ist just not a 'country' !!

amalgamation of teams the only way.

[illdecide]

And rightly so...

[Doogie Browser]

no great surprise really, proper decision.

[Hardy]

Ah that's all right. I misread the title and thought it was another Leinster Final thread.

[delboy]

Well im glad that a decision has been made so at least this issue can be put to bed. Players that don't want to play for NI can play for the republic, at least we will know the players that do declare for NI are 100 % commited to us, as a fan you can't ask for more than that 

In the grand scheme of things a few lost players won't make a titter of difference we won't be gracing any of the euro/world cup finals anytime soon either with or without them. But then supporting your team is more than just about qualifying for tournaments its about watching 11 players representing northern ireland on the pitch and giving it there all, this decision won't change that so as a fan as far as im concerned its business as usual for norn iron 

[haranguerer]

Well im glad that a decision has been made so at least this issue can be put to bed. Players that don't want to play for NI can play for the republic, at least we will know the players that do declare for NI are 100 % commited to us, as a fan you can't ask for more than that 

In the grand scheme of things a few lost players won't make a titter of difference we won't be gracing any of the euro/world cup finals anytime soon either with or without them. But then supporting your team is more than just about qualifying for tournaments its about watching 11 players representing northern ireland on the pitch and giving it there all, this decision won't change that so as a fan as far as im concerned its business as usual for norn iron 

You're bound to be embarrassed that those IFA muppets took it to court then. I can't get over their stupidity at times , well all of the time really...

[Doogie Browser]

Well im glad that a decision has been made so at least this issue can be put to bed. Players that don't want to play for NI can play for the republic, at least we will know the players that do declare for NI are 100 % commited to us, as a fan you can't ask for more than that 

In the grand scheme of things a few lost players won't make a titter of difference we won't be gracing any of the euro/world cup finals anytime soon either with or without them. But then supporting your team is more than just about qualifying for tournaments its about watching 11 players representing northern ireland on the pitch and giving it there all, this decision won't change that so as a fan as far as im concerned its business as usual for norn iron 

Optimistic take on it delboy, fair play.

[red hander]

From the News Letter

FOOTBALL fans have voiced disappointment that early previews of the George Best musical ignored his international career with Northern Ireland.
A number of supporters who attended the opening this week revealed that the performance does not make reference to memorable Best's exploits in the green shirt.

That is even though the official programme notes that he possibly scored the most famous "goal" of his career at Windsor Park.

The programme, while listing in chronological order the many clubs the distinguished player appeared for, including Manchester United, also omits his 37 caps for Northern Ireland.

However, a co-writer of the play, who claimed there was "nothing dramatic" in Best's playing days for his country, did not rule out a specific Northern Ireland section in the final production.

'Dancing Shoes - The George Best Story' opened at the Grand Opera House on Wednesday evening and runs until August 14.

The musical covers numerous landmark moments in Best's chequered career, including his football skills first being discovered, his European Cup success with Manchester United, his womanising and his battle with alcoholism which ultimately claimed his life.

Despite the principal character - played by actor Aidan O'Neill - not donning the famous green jersey at Wednesday night's opening, some of the audience did wear replica Northern Ireland tops in their own tribute.

One member of the audience said: "There seems to be this ongoing perception that any association with the Northern Ireland team is deemed sectarian."


.... seems nothing's going right for Our Wee Failed Statelet at the minute, maybe they can take Marty Lynch to world theatre's court of arbitration 

[Trout]

A British statelet being governed by your heroes Sinn Fein, but maybe you are too thick to realise that.

[red hander]

A British statelet being governed by your heroes Sinn Fein, but maybe you are too thick to realise that.

'My heroes'? You know nothing about my political views so don't make such 'thick' assumptions, idiot.

Anyway, FAI take on matters:

The Football Association of Ireland today (July 30) confirmed that it has won the case taken to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) by the IFA in relation to Daniel Kearns.



The landmark ruling vindicates the FAI and FIFA position that players born within the island of Ireland are eligible to play for FAI international teams and provides complete and final clarity on the matter.



The Football Association of Ireland delegation which attended the hearing on July 19 in Switzerland was composed of John Delaney, CEO, Michael Cody, Honorary Secretary and Sarah O'Shea, Legal Director.  The FAI was represented by Paul Gardiner SC and David Casserly BL.
Daniel Kearns was represented by Gary Rice of Beauchamps.



The FAI thanks the many bodies which assisted it in this case including the Irish Government, the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Tourism, Culture and Sport, the Olympic Council of Ireland, the Irish Sports Council, FIFA, UEFA, numerous elected representatives throughout the island of Ireland and many others.


The ruling comes into force with immediate effect and under the terms of the ruling, the IFA will pay all related costs. The FAI would like to take the opportunity to highlight that it has in recent years had good relations with the IFA. Those were maintained throughout this case and will continue into the future.


Welcoming the ruling, FAI Chief Executive John Delaney said;

"Today's landmark decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport confirms the FIFA and FAI position on player eligibility. The ruling upholds the right of individual choice on this matter for players born north of the border. I would like to thank the many people from all parts of the island who were strongly supportive during this process, and in particular, recognise the determination of Daniel Kearns and his family to uphold his right as an Irish citizen to play for his country."

[stiffler]

Well im glad that a decision has been made so at least this issue can be put to bed. Players that don't want to play for NI can play for the republic, at least we will know the players that do declare for NI are 100 % commited to us, as a fan you can't ask for more than that 

In the grand scheme of things a few lost players won't make a titter of difference we won't be gracing any of the euro/world cup finals anytime soon either with or without them. But then supporting your team is more than just about qualifying for tournaments its about watching 11 players representing northern ireland on the pitch and giving it there all, this decision won't change that so as a fan as far as im concerned its business as usual for norn iron 

NO SURRENDER!

[nifan]

You're bound to be embarrassed that those IFA muppets took it to court then. I can't get over their stupidity at times , well all of the time really...

I will never be surprised by the ineptitude of the IFA.