Monday, August 20, 2007
IFA provoking political row over football eligibility?
To say the issue of nationality runs to the core of the conflict in the north of Ireland is less a controversial than a factual statement. The sensitive nature of the nationality question is recognised in the complex vocabulary of the Good Friday Agreement, which effectively endorsed the right of six-county residents to proclaim themselves (and be legitimately recognised ) as Irish, British or indeed both.
Given the political minefield that we exist in, it is truly bizarre- if not grossly offensive- that the Irish Football Association seems intent on provoking a fierce row with northern nationalists over the legitimate entitlement of members of that community, as Irish citizens, to represent the Republic of Ireland at international football level.
UPDATE: Steve Staunton has selected Darron Gibson for Wednesday night’s friendly with Denmark.
Since Derry-born teenage footballer, Darren Gibson, opted to represent the Republic of Ireland, alongside many other northern nationalist players, the IFA has lobbied the world football organisation, FIFA, in desperate efforts to thwart Gibson’s ambition to play for his own country. Their aim is simple: to prevent Irishmen from the north from representing their own country and instead leaving them with no option but to play for Northern Ireland.
Chris Donnelly @ 10:48 AM
It says on the article you linked to:
“The 19-year-old, claimed by the Republic because he holds an Irish passport, has played the majority of his under-age international football with the south after switching allegiances because of a fall-out with Northern Ireland under-16 coaches over a trial at Man United.”
His big issue doesn’t seem to be to “proclaim himself (and be legitimately recognised ) as Irish”, as you suggest.
Looks like some people are making a political football out of football - leave the kid alone!
Posted by on Aug 20, 2007 @ 11:07 AMAbsolutely brilliant that Derry-born Gibson has been selected for Wednesday. By all accounts Ferguson is considering putting him into the Man United first team such are his outstanding performances for the reserves.
Its also one in the eye for the IFA who tried to force Gibson into playing for Northern Ireland against his will, even though Gibson had already publicly stated that “ The Republic of Ireland are my country. I have supported them all my life and that is who I wish to play for”.
Posted by on Aug 20, 2007 @ 11:08 AMBallbags,
You are out of touch on this Im afraid. You need to do some research because this has already been a political football for some time. Gibson was furious that the IFA had protested to UEFA that he had no right to play for the Republic.
Posted by on Aug 20, 2007 @ 11:11 AMHehe - without context the last line of Chris’ article is hilarious !
“Their aim is simple: to prevent Irishmen from the north from representing their own country and instead leaving them with no option but to play for Northern Ireland. “
Posted by on Aug 20, 2007 @ 11:17 AMBU
everyone should leave the kid alone let him do what he wants
Posted by on Aug 20, 2007 @ 11:21 AMjpeters
“everyone should leave the kid alone let him do what he wants”
On Wednesday night, Darren Gibson will be doing exactly what he wants - playing for HIS country…
By the way you should be aware that Darren was more than happy to receive help from local political representatives (including The Irish Government) to allow him to play for The republic.
Posted by on Aug 20, 2007 @ 11:25 AMmac
im not disagreeing with you, i actually mean it let him do what he wants, its only a game of football
Posted by on Aug 20, 2007 @ 11:31 AMI could almost understand this if the defection had been recent. But it was 2005 and Gibson has played for the Republic U-19, U-21 (I though this qualified you as ineligible elsewhere?) and has been the the squad for senior games. Wednesday’s a friendly and the natural time to give him a go anyway. In this context, Worthington’s statement seems bizarre.
Posted by on Aug 20, 2007 @ 11:34 AMThe reason why Worthington and The IFA are so galled by this is that it really annoys them that young Catholics want to play for The Republic in the first place.
They know there is absolutely not a single thing that they can do about it. There are many, many, more young Catholics from The North currently at both Premiership and Championship clubs who have already opted to play for The Republic at various levels.
Posted by on Aug 20, 2007 @ 11:48 AMjpeters
“everyone should leave the kid alone let him do what he wants”
That’s what I said leave him alone - don’t make a political football out of him.
Posted by on Aug 20, 2007 @ 11:53 AMThe IFA are well entitled to expect FIFA’s territorial rules to be applied.
What I do object to is Worthington’s “diplomatic skills”, which basically involve begging people to play for Northern Ireland. If they don’t want to play and don’t show hunger to play, they shouldn’t be approached. Take a lesson from Lawrie Sanchez Worthy.
Posted by on Aug 20, 2007 @ 11:54 AMHe should play for the country he was born in - Northern Ireland. The recent agreements included respect and recognition from Eire that Northern Ireland exists as a state. The FAI should back off and respect the fact that the IFA have responsibility for football in Northern Ireland.
Whatever passport someone in Northern Ireland chooses, they are living on British soil. Republicans are playing a dangerous game if they wish to start unpicking past agreements.
Posted by on Aug 20, 2007 @ 11:54 AMMacswiney
I’m afraid you’ve hit the nail on the head.
As I’ve stated before here, the IFA- and others involved in local football at international level- deserve credit for taking steps to rid the international game night from sectarian incidents.
But unfortunately there remains a refusal to respect the right of Irish nationalists to give their allegiance to the National team representing their own country.
This is but one more example of the inherently unionist mindset which prevails in Windsor House.
Rather than threatening to end the international careers of young footballers and in the process provoking a row with nationalists over their national identity and citizenship status, the Irish FA would be much better employed spending its time accepting the reality of our divided society and planning ahead on that basis.
Posted by on Aug 20, 2007 @ 11:54 AMthe IFA has lobbied the world football organisation, FIFA, in desperate efforts to thwart Gibson’s ambition to play for his own country.
Ah, this would be the same IFA who poached former Scottish U17 player, Brian McLean (with predictably embarrassing results).
Posted by on Aug 20, 2007 @ 11:58 AMziz
i agree, imagine if he gets his way! this is not the way to encourage enthusaism in the NI team, no-one wants sullen individuals playing, keano antics at the world cup were a real turn off for me
Posted by on Aug 20, 2007 @ 11:59 AMTheir aim is simple: to prevent Irishmen from the north from representing their own country and instead leaving them with no option but to play for Northern Ireland.
It seems pretty logical and sensible that Irishmen from the north should represent Northern Ireland!
Rather than threatening to end the international careers of young footballers and in the process provoking a row with nationalists over their national identity and citizenship status …
The IFA doesn’t want to end Gibson’s career: rather they want to offer him a career with NI.
… the Irish FA would be much better employed spending its time accepting the reality of our divided society and planning ahead on that basis.
Chris Donnelly joins the increasing number of nationalists championing an apartheid society.
Incidentally, the lad’s name is “Darron” (someone must have made a spelling mistake on his birth certificate).
Posted by on Aug 20, 2007 @ 12:14 PMIf he hasnt got the heart the GAWA dont want him anyway nor should the IFA.
Instead the IFA should concentrate one establishing certain principles for good relations
1. The FAI should not actively pursue players in NI - any such moves would have to instigated by the players themselves.
2. Some kind of financial compensation should be made to IFA by FAI to reflect any investment by the fomer over the years in the said player.
This will also kill forever any notion of an All Ireland team which is fine by me.
Posted by on Aug 20, 2007 @ 12:16 PMYeah sure the IFA are just out looking for a dust up with Northern nationalists.
The truth is more mundane. They want to protect their own footballing position as do the FAI. No one wants to bring kids through the Unders levels and then find they go off somewhere else.
Its football and economics on the part of the FAI & IFA, but people just want to fight the sop called war by other means. The war is over comprendez? Over.
If he doesnt want to play for NI good luck to him the team doesnt need him now and probably wont. Other people from a Catholic background have done, do and will play for NI in future because they want to. And if they want to thats good enough. They and any who choose not to play for NI and choose RoI instead should be left alone to make that decision, preferably as early as possible so the respective associations can invest in them.
NI fans if you have any loaf, ignore the thread from here on in. There is football to be played not this tired old bollocks. Do not buy it, do not rise to it. Some people hate you for supporting your side, they hate your existence.
Grin & let them simmer.
Posted by on Aug 20, 2007 @ 12:17 PMWillowfield.
Yeah wrong spellings, there showeth the man who really knows much about this topic and the player.
Thats like me saying Frances Molloy.....oh sorry did I just mention something we are trying to distract from?
Posted by on Aug 20, 2007 @ 12:20 PMI have to say the article in the Sunday Life(linked above) is breathtaking in it’s arrogance. “offering him the chance to save his international career...And in doing so, join a progressive team who are in a great position to reach the Euro 2008 finals” Priceless.
The IFA’s refusal to accept that northern nationalists have no desire to play for them and their insistence on trying to stifle their international careers will result in nationalists playing no international football (if FIFA rules in the IFA’s favour, but I believe that’s highly unlikely) rather than line out for Northern Ireland.
As stated above, it’s time the IFA accepted that they operate in a divided society and learned to make do with what they’ve got. Attempting to force catholic players to declare for them and no other is hardly going to engender any support in the catholic community (not that that much exists anyway).
I agree though, it is time for FIFA to nail this once and for all… the choice should be entirely the players and no-one elses. Besides, I seem to remember a television interview with Darron’s uncle and he was adamant that the player will play for his country (32 county model).
Mice move by Staunton BTW - I hope he gives him a run out and ends the matter once and for all.
Posted by on Aug 20, 2007 @ 12:21 PMNo one wants to bring kids through the Unders levels and then find they go off somewhere else.
Yokel
Yeah good one Yokel; probably should have read post 14 before you began that MOPE.
The IFA are on a certain loser with this one as FIFA specifically amended their Statute’s to account for players in Darren Gibson’s situation (ie possessing more than one Nationality). The FAI are not in breach of any FIFA rule.
Neither are the IFA who have, for years, enjoyed the priviledge of being able to select any player with a British passport, no matter where they were born. These favourable rules of eligibility for the ‘Home Nations’ should be borne in mind next time you hear anyone from the IFA embark on a reality-proof MOPE.Posted by on Aug 20, 2007 @ 12:26 PMSee my grin....
Posted by on Aug 20, 2007 @ 12:31 PMZiznivy - exactly. I wouldn’t like some kid playing for the South solely because he couldn’t get an England slot or whatever, so I think if he was forced into NI there would always be questions about Gibson’s commitment and a section of fans ready to remind him of them.
PeaceandJustice - but NI *isn’t* a State. Well, except in FIFA’s bizarre setup I suppose. If the integrationists had their way you’d be supporting “Britain” and there would be 1-2 NI players every decade - Best and Jennings and those kind of lads. Nigel Worthington wouldn’t have gotten a sniff of a B international.
Posted by on Aug 20, 2007 @ 12:42 PMP&J;,
The FAI should back off? Did they bundle him into a van and force him across the border at Coshquinn to sign away his choice of international sides.....
Gibby has consistently stated his desire to play for the ROI.
Good to see the “Harry Cavan” attitude is alive and well. Lets hope Gibby starts on Wednesday and the argument is put to bed.
Posted by on Aug 20, 2007 @ 12:58 PMDarren Gibson like many young Catholic kids in The North has grown up supporting The Republic of Ireland for all of his young life. He holds an Irish Passport and there is no question that his wishes to play for The Republic of Ireland should have been respected from the outset by the IFA.
Many Northern Ireland fans simply miss the point in all of this. Northern Catholics/Nationalists choose to support and follow The Republic of Ireland on the basis of what they legitimately perceive to be their nationality.
It would not matter if every last remaining bit of sectarianism was removed from Windsor Park. It simply would not matter, because that is NOT the reason why Catholics do not attend. Basically it boils down to respect. I respect the right of anyone to support Northern Ireland and they should respect the rights of those in The North who choose to support (or play for) The Republic of Ireland.
Posted by on Aug 20, 2007 @ 01:00 PM
