Quotes of the day fron OWC website:

"You can't spin this; if Wells doesn't announce that he is telling FIFA to politely go fcuk themselves and then getting onto the phone to those poisonous scheming shower of vipers down in Dublin to also Go Fcuk themselves (he can forget about being even polite to them cnuts) then it is a gross deriliction of his duties."



"What to do now?

1. Oppose against the so called FIFA 'compromise' (getting the other FA's on board would be great but are they likely to back us up?);
2. Regretably something now needs to be done with the National Anthem issue as a matter of urgency, as this is the perfect reason half our pool of players will use as excuse to not turn out for the country on their birth and choose the team on the other side of the border;
3. Pull all local teams out of the Setanta Cup and any cross border initiative tournaments in defiance of the FAI;
4. Get the stadium issue sorted out ASAP;
5. GET THE GRASS ROOTS SORTED NOW AND GET YOUTH PLAYERS ON SIDE EARLY!
6. Start poaching Southern-based players using the rules to our advantage (best form of defence is attack);
7. Lets get local policiticians on board and kick up as much of a fuss as the Shinners & Co have done over the last week to highlight nationally and more importantly internationally how much we have been rapped and fckued over;"

You're all fucked. You and your fans are totally deluded. The IFA stirred the pot. You so what you reap.

FIFA are doing yous lot a favour. You'll thank them in the long run...

Disgraceful. FIFA have produced this fudge due to the campaigning of nationalist politicians. It is necessary for unionist politicians now to back the IFA. E-mail Edwin Poots and Danny Kennedy (always sympathetic to NI football fans) to urge action.

Dear Mr Kennedy,



I wrote to you previously regarding the Maze Stadium issue, as a party member and Northern Ireland football fan, congratulating you on your work to highlight the pitfalls of this project and received an extremely detailed and encouraging reply.



I am aware that you are a keen follower of the Northern Ireland team and therefore I am sure you are aware of another issue pertaining to the IFA which has been in the media lately. Having initially received a positive response in their attempts to clarify the eligibility issue whereby the FAI has been poaching Northern Irish players to play for the Republic of Ireland team, the IFA have now been notified of a suggestion by FIFA that players from all 32 counties in Ireland should be eligible to play for either the IFA or the FAI teams.



I’m sure you will agree that this suggestion is an unacceptable fudge and a disgraceful about face from the position FIFA had indicated it would adopt. The reversal is clearly influenced by the constant meddling pressure of nationalist politicians such as Dermot Ahern and Pat Ramsey. FIFA is basically attempting to wheedle out of making a difficult decision due to the politicisation of the issue by nationalists.



If this suggestion becomes a sanctioned ruling, international football in this country has suffered a body blow from which it may never recover. Not only has that, but the very concept of a shared Northern Ireland has itself suffered a blow. If this suggestion is enforced as a decision, it threatens to segregate football here. The agenda of nationalist politicians is to dilute the sense that the Irish identity can be included in Northern Irish institutions and exacerbate the situation whereby northern nationalists cleave to southern institutions. Their agenda (if successful) will not only have an effect on our sport, it will also increase division in society and politically it attempts to limit the cultural and sporting shared spaces which the two communities can inhabit.



Football is an important part of our culture and matters a great deal to people on both sides of the religious divide. I feel therefore, that it is absolutely necessary to redress the balance and for unionist politicians to back the Irish Football Association to the hilt on this issue. These are the types of issues which ultimately will dictate whether Northern Ireland is a success or a failure. As a unionist politician with a special interest in football, and with a supporter’s commitment to the Northern Ireland team, I urge you to publicly take issue with the fudge which FIFA wishes the associations to adopt and to back the IFA in whatever way you can in whatever actions they decide to take against this ridiculous “compromise”.



Regards,


Chekov

I don't think irredentism is the correct phrase. Doesn't it refer to nation states seeking to "redeem" territory in other countries? It doesn't apply if it is the same country but merely outside the state.

Anywho, well done to FIFA. The absurdity of Irish citizens from Ireland not being able to play for the Irish state obviously finally hit them.

The Irish State doesn't have a team. The FAI does. There is no absurdity in the idea that you play for the association that organises football in your area.

"The Irish State doesn't have a team. The FAI does. There is no absurdity in the idea that you play for the association that organises football in your area. "

Er, you can still play for NI. And so can I. So what is your problem??

The IFA will be at an unfair disadvantage to other football associations in having to compete for players born in their own territory for one. I would have thought the 5 paragraphs above outlined a few of my problems.

correct decision in my view

any player born in the north of Ireland should be able to decide wether he is Irish or British and so should be able to decide to play for the south or the north.

It sounds to be that the unionist supporters of IFA are just afraid that this is the end of N.Ireland. Well No is it not. N.Ireland will still do well, but as a nationalist good luck to them and good luck to healy.

The Belfast Boy George Best would have liked this decision, he was all for one all Ireland team

The funny thing about the Darren Gibson case in particular is that for all Republicans going on about the Good Friday Agreement etc is that Darren Gibson had no problem playing for Northern Ireland. It was a dispute with the then coach of the youth set up at the time that led to him quitting the side and the Republic to pick him up. As Jonny Evans and Darren Gibson himself have said in the past if the IFA hadn’t of been so incompetent then Darren Gibson would be a happy committed Northern Ireland player today.

Players have been able to declare for the Republic for years now and only a handful have gone, Darren Gibson being the first quality player to do so. If FIFA continue to fail to enforce their own rules it’s inevitable that more players will go in the future. But players from catholic and nationalist backgrounds will continue to play for Northern Ireland (our recent captain for example), and out support from that side of the community will continue to grow like it has in recent years.

Now that the red-mist has started to lift a bit...

FIFA have not simply sent the IFA back a note, as they have done in the past (eg Gibson qualifies under Article 15 or whatever, no case to answer) telling them to get lost.
Quite clearly then the IFA have a case, however also quite clearly the wider political ramifications of FIFA following the logic of their own rulebook in this case have frightened the bigwigs.

So, we now have this proposal sent by FIFA to the IFA and FAI, I don't think anyone would argue that this is a proposal contrary to their own regulations.

It is a proposal which is totally out of synch with their own rule book but that's possibly OK, because other exceptions do exist (eg the 4 UK teams, Hong Kong maintaining a team separate to China etc etc). But it's "ok" only if both parties affected agree to the proposal. This is what FIFA wants, they can then point to it as a kind of "gentlemens' agreement" in the future when other similar situations arise- eg hell will freeze over before Croatia/Bosnia/Serbia reach any kind of recipricol agreement about ethnic Croatians living in Bosnia or Serbia playing for Croatia. Until that happens, then FIFA says "OK, in absence of agreement, we stick to the rulebook"

But if the IFA and FAI don't agree (and Wells of the IFA has gone ballistic this morning, he knows this could be his final death knell) ,then FIFA will either have to enforce their original eligibility rule (the FAI loses out) or this new proposal (the IFA loses out).

If the IFA says "no" to this proposal, then quite clearly FIFA will have to impose a solution. Why would this fact be important?

Because in order to impose this, FIFA would have to update its rulebook (otherwise leaving itself open to a potential civil legal action brought by the IFA through the Swiss Courts). If the rulebook is updated in favour of the FAI, then the nationality requirements will have to be greatly loosened- ignore for a moment the position of Northern Irish footballers wishing to turn out for the Republic, think of the theoretical possibility of ROI born players turning out for NI.

They have not been born in the territory of the IFA, they do not have the otherwise required nationality (born outside NI, you need British citizenship to play for NI or wales or whomever). By imposing and thus codifying such an agreement, FIFA would be opening the doors (and possible legal action) all over Europe- there are over a dozen mixed nationality/citizenship areas where there could well be trouble

The IFA should stand firm in this and tell FIFA to stuff their proposal where the sun doesn't shine.
FIFA will then be on the defensive (note the legal teams are already on standby) and have to consider very carefully the wider implications of imposing a solution.
By standing up for what is right the IFA will have lost absolutely nothing compared to the situation prior to this case, in terms of either potential players or supporters.

They also, more importantly, will have stood up against sporting apartheid on this island, it will be a very sad day indeed when religion will be as important as sporting ability in determining who plays for which team.

By hook or by crook, the sectarian bigots at the FAI must be defeated.

I'm removing any and all comments suggesting an all-Ireland team because it's so fucking ridiculous and has been answered over and over again.

"By hook or by crook, the sectarian bigots at the FAI must be defeated."

I know you're upset but that's a silly comment.

The FAI are many things but sectarian bigots they are not.

Its 1986 Anglo Irish Agreement all over again on the OWC website:

"Agreed. Our resolve will be strengthened. For just like the IRA murder campaign, this war on another front will be just as counter productive to their political aspiration. And we will not take any more imperial agreesion from Dublin whether in sport or not. It seems they have no idea what Catholic Protestant and Dissenter really is about. We were living that dream in the NI football team, it seems they are taking that away from us chasing their outdated political aspiration. They want something but do the exact oipposite, what do they think is going to happen? That us nordies or more specifically Unionists will just all of a sudden come to our senses? "

YYEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

Reg, the FAIs policy of recruiting young Northern Irish Catholics is the very definition of sectarian.

Dan - people are outraged and aggrieved, the odd emotional outburst is (sadly) to be expected.

look guys get over it,

why wont the unionist people just acknowledge that part of the population of N.Ireland want to play fro the south, instead of going on about how sectarian FAI are which they are not,

why dont you actually try and address the problem, this is beyond a football problem, it is a problem to do with peoples beliefs which should be respected <snip - mod>. They should look to the future and try and address the deep problems that they have. <snip - mod> INSTEAD of FORCE, let people decide themselves and try and then BY CHANGING THE IFA and MAKING NATIONALISTS AND REPUBLICANS FEEL WELCOME INSTEAD OF FORING THEM, THEN AND ONLY THEN WILL SOME NATIONALISTS PLAY FOR THE NORTh.

However you must face the fact that there will always be some people who want to play for the south, that is a fact which cannot be changed. IT is not a bad thing, it is just life, so get on with it. N.IRELAND is only 80 odd years old, N.Ireland and Southern Ireland will always have links because of the past, that is a fact.

The unionist population have a really big problem and must come to the terms that not all people ni the north support N.Ireland, Nationalists and Republicans gave up their armed struggle and have accepted the will of the people in the assembly, so unionists must accept and reralise that N.Ireland is and will always be to some degree a divided society. Iti is not a bad thing, it is just life.

Stop being So bitter and look to the future, use persuasion and not force,

WHY SHOULD NATIONAISTS STOP PLAYNG FOR A TEAM THAT THEY BELIEVE IN AND PLAY FOR A TEAM THAT DOES NOT HOLD THEIR BELIEFS AND THAT THE FANS DONT SHARE THEIR BELIEFS. WHY?

BelfastMan - I removed some offensive and practically baseless accusations above. Frankly I think I was doing you a favour - Beano

RESPECT MY BELIEFS AND I WILL RESPECT YOURS

"THEN AND ONLY THEN WILL SOME NATIONALISTS PLAY FOR THE NORTh."

Just one sentence that epitomises why you are a complete moron.

why becasue I am realistic and understand that the IFA are a bunch of bigots who only care about their precious N.Ireland and refuse to accpet that some people will never play for them.

Get over it

some nationalists would play for N.Ireland if made to feel welcome ie chnage the flag and anthem and get more nationalist support.

some nationalists alreay do play for N.Ireland but will not speak up for fear of not getting selected and become hated and getting death threats like Neil Lennon

Maybe you want to read the sentence I highlight again, paying particular attention to what the words mean when thus ordered you illiterate imbecile.

so your telling me that in everything that I said, that is your response. what a joke.

ithat is all you can respond with, so you must agree with everything that I said.

Stop living in the clouds mate,

your an idiot

I wonder what response I will get now

Actually you'll find Neill Lennon has always been full of praise for the IFA and the Football For All campaign in getting rid of sectarianism at Windsor Park.

and I wonder what the IFA and N.Ireland fans think of him

Well the last time Neill Lennon played at Windsor Park he got a standing ovation when he came out and was greeted with chants of "there's only one Neil Lennon" through out the game. So i'd say he was held in high regard.

I'll quote Neill for you:

"In the main, the reception I received was brilliant, A lot of people got behind me tonight and I was touched by that. There are minorities in all walks of like who make trouble for everyone else. But there are a lot more good people than bad in this country."

I think that at times FIFA make up the rules and regs as they go along anyway.
If you look at the team listings as well as the already mentioned Hong Kong (China) they include Palestine (Israel), Kosovo (Serbia) and Western Sahara (Morocco). It's a farce when teams can compete from Contries/Nations which don't even exist AND be officially recognised by FIFA..
This nonsense just adds to the situation.
Whatever your political views are (and you are entitled to have them), how a player or thier parents/grandparents can be born in one country and play for another is beyond belief.

And another thing (in a pathetic attempt to try and lighten the tone a bit!).
How can Nigel Worthington include Gary Hamilton in the squad and not include the Irish Leagues top goalscorer?
Come on Nigel...'There's only one David Rainey'.

Well said Junkmale - You a Crues fan as well?

Beano, I’ve read your report on the Flags issue. You raise some valid points and address the issue systematically, and without extreme bias. However, I feel that this article achieves nothing more than to contribute to the Unionist ‘siege mentality’. Apocalyptic warnings of the “the demise of one of the world's oldest Football Associations” and suggestions of football “apartheid”, only serve to get peoples’ backs up.

You can draw all the international examples you like, but the fact is NI is unique. We will always have more than a traditional neighbouring relationship with the Republic, and the reality remains that nearly half the population of NI are Irish citizens.

I really don’t see what this ruling changes. Unionists will still support and play for NI, and the majority of Nationalists will still support and aspire to play for the RoI.

Instead of looking for people to blame for this, I think the IFA should proactively address the problem. I commend their work in recent years on removing terrorist flags and chants from the football pitch, but a more radical overhaul is needed. I have personally discussed this with the IFA head of Marketing, Geoff Wilson, and he understands the need.

This issue is obviously a complex one, and it doesn’t help to add fuel to the flames by resorting to petty slagging, and throwing around misguided allegations of sectarianism.

P.S. On the individual case of Darren Gibson, I feel he shouldn’t have been allowed to play for the RoI as he played for NI first. After making his bed, he should lie in it.

William, thanks for the refreshingly constructive comments and I applaud you for engaging with the IFA instead of spouting abuse from the sidelines like many others.

Warnings about the demise of the IFA may get people's backs up, but it's the truth as I see it. There are 2 ways things could develop if this suggestion of 2 all-Ireland teams is accepted:
1) the IFA team becomes the Protestant Irish team (with the FAI being the Cathoic one) and accusations of sectarianism, already thrown about like they were going out of fashion, get worse
2) the FAI team becomes the de facto Ireland team and the IFA team becomes Ireland B.

Either way it's an unprecedented disaster for Irish football.

If you really believed this ruling doesn't change anything then there is no need for it.

Ok guys will the IFA ever drop GSTQ i mean when it was not played in the rugby was there not a outcry from politicans and other people in your community.

The IFA does not represent a single community (at least not yet) so the rugby issue has fuck all to do with them.

As for the rugby, the issue was the IRFU's disdain for the Northern Irish fans who have stood quietly and respectfully for the Soldiers' Song for 50 years on the understanding that it was being played because the match was in the Republic and the reciprocal arrangement would apply in Belfast as it had done before they stopped playing matches here. To get round the shocking prospect of having to respect the British section of their support they claimed that it was an away match (Belfast deemed to be "outside Ireland") and so only played Ireland's Call. Not that any of that is relevant to the fact that the IFA should look for an alternative anthem. If you want to discuss the rugby issue, see Southern Double Standards Part III.

There are lots of people shouting and bitching about the IFA using God Save the Queen, but few recommending any alternatives. It's easy to bitch, but the only constructive criticism so far seems to have come from one commenter here and even William didn't suggest anything.

'the reality remains that nearly half the population of NI are Irish citizens'.

With all due respect William, but, where do you get such a figure from?

"Stop living in the clouds mate,"

You said, and I repeat, "THEN AND ONLY THEN WILL SOME NATIONALISTS PLAY FOR THE NORTh.". You shouted it for emphasis. Would you like to tell me what community Chris Baird to pick one example comes from?

"Your an idiot"

You're an idiot.

As I pointed out on Slugger, if this is the end of the world for the IFA then it is the IFA's fault. Nationalists will generally like the All Ireland angle, and they will in all likelihood have first contact with the vast majority of Nationalist players. this ruling opens up several potential new pools of players, and there are a lot can slip through the gap.

As Wells as admitted, the IFA's case is based on Circular 901. That has to do with "changing nationality". Irish nationality only allows a player to play for the Republic - the passport is use do prove British eligibility in NI's case, perversely. If that is the sole case, then you have the situation where a player would be allowed to select the FAI at the start, but not allowed to switch. That's farce, and totally against the idea behind allowing players to change - that they'd picked young and might think they made the wrong decision.

Oh, and "Northern Ireland" is not, and never has been my country. I also hate to tell you, but most Nationalist support the Republic and will continue to do regardless of the ruling.

"Worst of all though, it represents the potential end of a Northern Ireland team made up of a cross-section of Northern Ireland's community, both Protestants and Catholics, and leaves the way open for young players from nationalist areas to be "encouraged" by "community leaders" to make sure they "choose" to play for the "right" Irish team."

This is crass sectarianism, beano. Nationalists do not support the Republic because there are Godfather's enforcing it. they do because it is the team that represents them. Deal with it.

Also maybe of interest:

"Gibson’s uncle, Paul McLaughlin, a former footballer himself and now a coach, said Fifa may have acted now because other players were ready to force the issue through the courts.”

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/northwest-edition/daily/article3140117.ece

If this goes ahead will FIFA entertain similar claims from people in other parts of the world that they should be allowed to play for another country based on political aspirations?

This already is the situation as the IFA are trying to overturn the current situation and no such claims have been forthcoming.

I am trying to think of a region in the world which has anything like the Good Friday Agreement where two countries have agreed in an international treaty that the inhabitants can be citizens of both countries.

Please let me know of one. Give me a single example.

As for the UK associations, I don't doubt that FIFA wants to curb their power and if picking on the weakest (IFA) helps I'm sure they will.

But none of this is a problem for FIFA, this is the silver lining.

'but most Nationalist support the Republic and will continue to do regardless of the ruling.'

As before and yet again. Kensei, what do you base that figure on? What evidence do you have to support that generalisation?

"As before and yet again. Kensei, what do you base that figure on? What evidence do you have to support that generalisation?"

I can't speak for Kensei (or indeed every single nationalist in the 6 counties) but it is also my personal experience.

All my friends and family up north support the Republic, nearly everyone in my primary school class had a republic jersey for Italia 90, and, based on a show of hands in A-level politics class (in a m/c grammar school) everyone bar one person - out of around 30 supported the republic.

That's just the way it is.

"As before and yet again. Kensei, what do you base that figure on? What evidence do you have to support that generalisation?"

It's anecdotal. I don't know any Nationalists who follow football and support NI ahead of the Republic. I have been to bars in Belfast packed out to see the Republic play. And I have seen even otherwise moderate people come out with completely hostility to the NI team.

That, of course, does not the supposition, but I fancy I'm right. What is clearly is that there are a lot of people who do - otherwise the IFA would not be having this problem.

In other words there is no solid evidence whatsoever to support the original comment, apart from personal experience?
I don't think the IFA have any problem at all with individuals from Northern Ireland who wish to follow the Republic. Neither do i for that matter. I wouldn't imagine that the IFA, as an organisation, can do anything about it. They have tried and are continuing to try to make Northern Ireland International games a more welcoming atmosphere for all to enjoy and with some sucess.
You can't just make sweeping generalisations without the evidence to support them.

Garfield

And what if the IFA cave in and the second part of "the deal" comes in to place (ie people born in the Republic, whose nationality is not affected by the Belfast Agreement and who also don't qualify under normal FIFA guidelines being eligible to play for NI ) ?

No consequences elsewhere in Europe, never mind the rest of the world do you think?

"No consequences elsewhere in Europe, never mind the rest of the world do you think?"

No.

Junkmate

"You can't just make sweeping generalisations without the evidence to support them."

I don't think anyone has ever carried out a comprehensive study of which international team people follow. You can deny it if it comforts you, but in my experience very few Nationalists follow the NI team.

oneill

"And what if the IFA cave in and the second part of "the deal" comes in to place (ie people born in the Republic, whose nationality is not affected by the Belfast Agreement and who also don't qualify under normal FIFA guidelines being eligible to play for NI ) ?

No consequences elsewhere in Europe, never mind the rest of the world do you think?"

About the same level of consequences that Britain having four teams has.

I've been following this thread and the previous "IFA Victory" one. The debate is getting petty, and seems to be going in an infinite circle.

I've been trying to harness my thoughts into a coherent argument. But you know what? There isn't one. This country has an edgy peace basically defined by the absence of violence. We are led by politicians that are only working together because their wages were (eventually!) threatened. I don't know what the answer is. No one does. And as long as everyone has this “us versus them” mentality, nothing will change.

I for one find it embarrassing that an international organisation like FIFA has had to step in to settle our affairs.

Can everyone please take a chill pill and watch this for a bit of light hearted relief!

This should have been open and shut. Gibson doesn't qualify under any of the three requirements of FIFA rules to play for the RoI.
Opening the whole island to poaching by both teams is just retarded and FIFA's way of copping out of making a decision.
This, I also feel, is FIFA's way of forcing an all-island team.
Much like Ireland rugby by support will go to Scotland if that happens.

Why is religion being brought into it, Simon deicdes to leave video from a brilliant comedian who I am a fan off, but the civil ware in N.Ireland or the Troubles was nothing to do with religion, religion was used a a front and people forget that, it did not start because of religion.

As for Dara O Brien he a a legend

"Gaelic/Catholic nationalist and republicans and one for Planter Scum/Protestant unionists"

MOPE?

How FIFA force a team upon anyone especially of a country that does not exist is the panicle or arrogance and stupidity.

The Northern Ireland team should remain separate and distinct.

"The Northern Ireland team should remain separate and distinct."

Why?

Kensei/Reg

"About the same level of consequences that Britain having four teams has"

Something on Blatter's things to do list I'm sure, but different from this potential ruling, in that it proposes to over-turn the status quo and is ruling on a very touchy subject eligibilty and supra-national identity.

I believe some of the likely FAs have been informed (not by the usless IFA needless to say), it'll be interesting to see their reaction, maybe not as cut and dried as you think.

Now do you honestly think FIFA are going to do a complete turn around after this and say oh we were wrong of course the IFA were right. Get real a deal will have to be done that is satisfactory to everyone something like if you play under 21 or under 18 for Northern ireland you will then have to play for the senior side but up until then its up to you.Honestly boys when will you learn i cant see any of the FAs wainting to have anything to do with this way too messy

Why should FIFA allow NI born players to opt for the 26 counties?

They shouldn't. End of.

The Irish FA is the 3rd oldest association in the WORLD, once officially holding the all-Ireland team for its first few decades, and they are clearly not the partitionists on this issue.

Of course the Brits could be accused of partitionists in the political sence but in all fairness this is FOOTBALL we're talking about and the Republic's football association should really reap what they sowed in the 1920's when they took their ball and killed off the islands all-Irish side.

What this breakaway association (the FAI) is doing is essentially sectarian, as players from nationalist/catholic areas such as darron gibson will form a generation of Irish catholics on their team (ROI) and we'll have a team full of Ulster protestants (NI). The door will then be shut firm on the chris bairds, martin o'neills, gerry armstrongs, damien johnsons of days of old and partition in Ireland in footballing terms will be even greater.

So come on FIFA, in a time when Northern Ireland is beginning to achieve the cross-community support of old with the various campaigns run by the IFA, please dont make partition between our two countries even greater as we may potentially end up with 'Catholic Ireland' and 'Protestant Ireland' - sad, but a real possibility should they rule in the breakaway association - the FAI.

"we may potentially end up with 'Catholic Ireland' and 'Protestant Ireland' - sad, but a real possibility"

Is this not already the case?

I can't speak for the ROI but for NI this is certainly NOT the case, and I wouldn't be a fan of having one team protestant and one team catholic - a mindset that unfortunately doesn't seem to be shared by the South's FA.

People of all religions and even players with no religion have always played for the FAI so the ROI will never become a catholic team.If NI become the orange team well then you have no one but yourselves to blame.Oh and good luck on satuday

I would hate if Northern Ireland became an Orange team. I fear they would:

-start playing GSTQ
-shouting loyalist chants
-try and force any northern nationalist who wishes to play interantional football to listen to the above
-bringing the union jack to matches
-giving a large percentage of their gate receipts to a football club with an apalling record of sectarianism
-playing their matches in a loyalist area of Belfast
-stop playing matches on a Sunday
-call anyone who has a problem with the above a provo-lover

Now I can't see that happening, what with their liberal fans and progressive leadership. Remember, we got an award from Brussels. So its OK.

to say that the ifa are not the partitionists on this issue is just crazy.of the two associations which one is open to the idea of a united team?.The fact is the majority of nationalists in the 6 counties dont want to represent a 'country' in which there parents and grandparents where second class cirizens.As for problems arising elsewhere because of political aspiration,there is a huge difference between political aspiration and the good friday agreement.People really have to get there head around the idea of dual nationality.

"to say that the ifa are not the partitionists on this issue is just crazy."
No it isn't, they were an all-Ireland body until the FAI (splitters!) broke away.

"of the two associations which one is open to the idea of a united team?"

You're assuming either are - I don't think either are on record as saying they're in favour, though I'm sure each would be happy enough if they other one folded and they took over. All of which is completely irrelevant of course.

"there is a huge difference between political aspiration and the good friday agreement."

Ah, we agree on something.

Well it's great to see the boys get yet another famous win tonight against denmark!! Another outstanding performance for Northern Ireland football, keeping the dream alive! What's particularly pleasing is seeing the whole squad playing their hearts out for the team, the supporters & the country! It's also great to see Healey get the european qualifiers all-time goal scoring record, what an achievement! I'm sure they'll give their all again against Spain on wednesday night! C'mon!

I think the scenario spelled out by FIFA gives both sides what they want. Irish people, north and south, want an All Ireland team. British people in Ireland want an independent Northern Ireland team. This gives an independent Northern Ireland team but also provides an All Ireland team in all but name. People can choose who to support. How can Irish nationalists support a team that uses a flag and anthem that nationalists view as sectarian, use a ground in a unionist area, use a ground that is owned by the most sectarian team in the world, use a ground that Catholics were not welcome at up until the turn of the millennium. David Healy is considered a god by Norn Iron supporters. They chant his name nonstop. The main chant towards another Norn Iron hero, Gerry Armstrong, was “dirty fenian bastard”. They would chant it any time he got the ball. If he scored they switch to “there’s only one Gerry Armstrong” for five minutes and then go back to DFB. These are the sort of supporters that Northern Ireland used to have. Many would argue with the IFA’s reforms that this is no longer the case, which is true. I support the Republic team. My mother and father support the Republic team. Their parents supported the Republic team. Most people in Northern Ireland support the team that their parents supported and my parents lived in a generation where Catholics were not welcome at Windsor Park. The IFA got rid of sectarianism in the 2000s. They should have got rid of it in the 1920s. The ship has sailed. The Catholics in the North are firmly behind are team and that team is not Norn Iron.

"Irish people, north and south, want an All Ireland team."

I nearly stopped reading at that point, it was so nonsensical. I wish I had. The rest of the post, like that statement, is patent rubbish.

I think I phrased that badly. Irish people, as in Irish nationalists. People who consider their nationality to be Irish, not Northern Irish, not British, not Ulster, but Irish. That is the only thing in that post that I may have miss phrased. What is rubbish about other that it disagrees with your loyalist viewpoint.

Glad to see, FIFA's is being as vague as usual.

It's not Healey it's Healy. The least you w@nkbags could do is get God's name right.

Healy is a decent footballer, but stop being a dick and calling him God.

Players born in Northern Ireland are perfectly within both their legal and human rights to play for the Republic if they wish to. The IFA is an outdated sectarian organisation that is still struggling to come to terms with the Good Friday agreement. Great Nationalists players like Niall Lennon have tried to play for this pseudo state in an attempt to give it some form of credibility but they have been met with racist abuse from the moronic windsor park crowds. Gibson will be a great player for the Republic. The FAI will not only welcome but actively seek further talent from Ulster who wish to play for a Modern and progressive footballing nation . The windsor park crowds should join forces with their English Hooligan cousins. It's all they're good for.

Just in response to the first inbred idiot that posted a comment here. He said that the IFA should poach players from the South?

How many players from the South does he think would want to play for Nortern Ireland and represent those backward slack-jawed union jack waving chavs?

Any decent player on this island will choose to play for the one true football team on this island. The Republic of Ireland!!

Good Bye IFA it wasn't nice knowing ye. Now go lock yourself in windsor park and drown in your own racist bile and bigotry. The world will be a better place without ye.

"Great Nationalists players like Niall Lennon"

Since you hold him in such high would it be too much effort for you to learn to spell his name?

Neil Lennon. And your post just confirms that the ignorant morons who would brand the whole NI support bigoted over that unfortunate event know nothing about football and care even less. Do some research before you post that shit again and you'll realise the vast majority of fans backed Lennon and did so publicly.

People like Stewart [MacAfee] are the unsung heroes who have been brave enough to challenge sectarianism and who have actively created a more fun, safe and family-orientated atmosphere at international games. Fans like Stewart have made the atmosphere at Northern Ireland football games in recent years the envy of Fans across not only Europe but World football. From a personal point of view I would like to thank them for their efforts.
Neil Lennon
Praise for IFA's Football