FAI: youth game in north requires IFA permission

Rep. Ireland youth game at the Brandywell?

SPEAKING to Dave O'Grady on the You Boys in Green Football Show, FAI Chief Executive John Delaney responded to a number of questions from Republic of Ireland football fans. It was put to Mr Delaney that, considering the amount of players currently in FAI teams hailing from the north of Ireland, particularly Derry, and the tendency to scatter youth games around Ireland, would the association ever consider staging an under-age international at the Brandywell, the home of League of Ireland side Derry City.

Delaney's response was characterised by a noticeable depth of feeling. The emotion was palpable as he recalled his memories of Derry City entering theLeague of Ireland in the late 1980s and the day that the Football Association of Ireland won their landmark case at the Court ofArbitration for Sport (CAS) in the summer of 2010. “I was pleased,” said Delaney of the CAS verdict, “because it gave the players a right of choice.”

However, the FAI CEO conceded that, while he may personally be in favour of the idea of holding a youth international game in Northern Ireland, it would ultimately rely on permission from the Belfast-based IFA and such is the sensitivity of the eligibility topic within IFA circles, that permission would probably not be forthcoming. “I think you've got to respect that it might be seen as going 'a bridge too far' by the IFA, who actually run football in the north of Ireland”, mused Delaney diplomatically.

The only impediment, then, may come in the form of protest from the IFA. As Delaney notes, the IFA might possibly see it as a further insult to the integrity of their autonomy as the governing body of football in Northern Ireland. Delaney suggests that it would be difficult considering how sensitive the IFA are to the eligibility debate but, despite the occasional overflow of discontent from disgruntled Northern Ireland fans, that debate is settled and this is a separate idea – merely one of playing a game in the north. Naturally enough, certain areas in Northern Ireland would be more open to the idea of having a Republic of Ireland match staged in their neighbourhood.

One expects that there would be little difficulty in staging a game at the Brandywell in Derry, for example. The Brandywell is, after all, the home of a club which plies its trade in the FAI's domestic league. Add to that the fact that several current Ireland internationals, such as Darron Gibson, James McClean and Shane Duffy all hail from Derry, while some current and former Ireland youth internationals make up the Derry City squad.

And with so many people in the north already supporting the Republic of Ireland rather than Northern Ireland, would staging the odd youth game (perhaps even just one) in Derry really make much of a difference to that reality? Probably not.

Nigel Dodds and "Injustice"

If the debate surrounding FIFA eligibility rules in Ireland didn't exist, I'd probably have very little else to write about, but the topic rears its head time and time again. This time, the DUP's Dodds couple (Nigel and Diane) have raised their concern in different political fora. At Westminster recently, Nigel spoke of how there existed an "injustice" that needed to be addressed by the British and Irish governments. The "injustice" that Nigel refers to, of course, is the right that exists for Irish nationals born in Northern Ireland to play for or change to the representative teams of the Football Association of Ireland (FAI).

In referring to this right of choice, as facilitated by FIFA's eligibility rules, as an "injustice", Dodds reveals a lot about the level of respect and understanding he has for the identity his republican neighbours. While the FIFA eligibility rules have nothing to do with the Good Friday Agreement of 1998 (as is often erroneously reported), calls for this choice to be limited, or even removed, undoubtedly contravenes the spirit of tolerance and respect for identity that is contained therein. As Daniel Collins recently wrote in the Irish News, with regard to Diane Dodds' similar comments at a sitting of the European Parliament, '[o]ver a decade on from the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, is it not long past the time that certain public servants should have acknowledged the undisputed legitimacy of the national identity of the largest minority community north of the border?'. Indeed it is long past the time.

Collins has invested a considerable amount of time and energy into matters surrounding the eligibility debate, paying particular attention to debunking the various myths and unfounded allegations that have arisen since the issue has come to the fore. His essay, 'FIFA Player Eligibility in the Context of Ireland' is arguably the best resource for those who wish to be educated in the matter and, unsurprisingly, his efforts have been met with derision among Northern Ireland fans, although, interestingly, to date, there has not been so much as one attempt at a rebuttal. In general, the arguments raised by Northern Ireland fans and pro-IFA figures, including Diane and Nigel Dodds, have all been emphatically debunked by Collins' essay. For example, Mr Dodds paints a picture of the IFA suffering uniquely, but such is patently not the case:

"The rules are universal and no two countries in world football have an identical number of nationals available for potential selection from their respective player pools, so talk of an unfair advantage is also disingenuous. The FAI cannot call up Northern Ireland-born players who do not acknowledge or effect their birthright to Irish nationality. Ultimately, choice rests with the player."

Nigel Dodds' proposal, that the British and Irish governments convene a meeting to resolve a so-called "issue" is simply preposterous, especially when one considers the fact that the Irish FA (IFA) has already exhausted all avenues, only to be told by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) that they had, to borrow a phrase, no leg to stand on. Essentially, the CAS brought closure to the affair for all parties concerned after years of complaint on the part of the IFA. In light of this, it is quite baffling to hear unionist politicians sticking their oar in, presenting the situation as one in imperative need of resolution.


Regardless, a sizeable portion of the population of Northern Ireland simply does not recognise or identify with the IFA, for one reason or the other, and instead look favourably upon the FAI - such was the case well before northern born players began appearing for the FAI. Indeed, Sinn Féin, the largest republican party in Northern Ireland immediately issued a statement supporting the right of choice that currently exists, while in 2007, SDLP politician Pat Ramsey also defended the right of choice. Therefore, should this ridiculous notion be entertained, then it would simply stutter to an inevitable stalement.

In reality, the freedom of a northern-born Irish individual to represent the FAI rather than the IFA represents an injustice only to those whose secure sense of 'Our Wee Country' it upsets.

Reduced Rooney Ban an Education

Rooney lashes out.

As England fans rejoice at the news that Wayne Rooney's 3-match ban has been reduced by one game, the rest of the football world can learn an important lesson: the squeaky wheel gets the oil.

Recently, the [English] FA kicked up a massive fuss when FIFA told them not to adorn their shirts with poppies for the friendly against Spain. The result of the whining saw FIFA eventually relent and agree to a compromise which allowed the England team to wear armbands embroidered with poppies.

Today, it emerged that UEFA agreed to reduce Wayne Rooney's three-match ban on the grounds that a two match ban was "more reasonable".

The FA's legal team also pointed to the fact that Miodrag Dzudovic, the Montenegro player who was the victim of Rooney's ire, had asked Uefa to show leniency because Rooney had acted out of “desperation rather than anger”, and had allegedly been “provoked by problems his family had to face a short time before the game”.

There you have it. Victory for England once again.

However, I can't help but wonder what the reaction would have been if a lesser association, say, the Maltese FA, had appealed a similar ban? Without the clout that the [English] FA possesses, you'd probably wager that the Maltese FA's pleas would be dismissed.

On a related note it's interesting that the superiority complex of the FA has been noted in recent times by Sepp Blatter, who criticised the British media for hounding him:

"In the '60s and '70s, the major sports federations were in British hands. This is no longer the case. The English lost power and, more recently, the 2018 World Cup. They were anxious to have it - much more than they were to have the Olympics.They thought football was coming home and the World Cup was rightfully theirs: when they came here with Beckham, Prince William and Prime Minister Cameron, they were sure they'd win the rights. They got two votes. Since then, they have been looking for any means to justify their defeat."

Take from that what you will.

The Great "Northern Ireland" Anthem Debate

Northern Ireland fans

Over the past two weeks, The Irish Football Association (IFA) has once again come under public scrutiny following comments from former Northern Ireland international Paul McVeigh, who criticised the association's decision to use the anthem 'God Save the Queen' before games. The former Norwich man said, “Northern Ireland, as long as it continues with that anthem, will not have an identity of its own and players will continue to turn to the Republic.”. Radio phone lines have swelled and internet forums buzz with debate. Former international Gerry Armstrong has even stated that he has asked Snow Patrol frontman Gary Lightbody about the possibility of penning a new anthem.

I want to make two things clear before I start. One: as with all things international football, this debate is inherently political, there is no escaping that fact and two: despite the noises of the Amalgamation of Official Northern Ireland Supporters' Clubs (AONISC) to the contrary, the “eligibility row” has been emphatically settled since the famous Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) case of 2010.

It must also be noted that the IFA, as defined by FIFA, constitutes one of the four “British Associations”, along with the Scottish Football Association (SFA), the Football Association of Wales (FAW) and the (English) Football Association (FA). As a consequence, in order to play for the representative teams of the IFA, one must necessarily hold British nationality. This is abundantly clear from even a cursory glance at FIFA's statutes, which are readily available online, and can also be gleaned from a reading of the report of the “IFA versus Daniel Kearns, the FAI and FIFA” CAS case (also available online).

One of the arguments, therefore, used by fans against changing the anthem of the Northern Ireland football team, is that 'God Save the Queen' is the British anthem so it is fitting for Northern Ireland, a British association. However this argument falls down on the simple basis that two other British associations, namely the SFA and the FAW use their own, unique anthems for football, much to the satisfaction of their fans. This argument is also an insult in that it completely disregards the socio-political reality of Northern Ireland, whereby a sizeable portion of the population simply do not identify as British.

Somewhat paradoxically to the assertion of Britishness through the use of 'God Save The Queen', the idea of a singular British association is something that the IFA is vehemently opposed to, as there are fears that the association may eventually lose its autonomy at the behest of FIFA. It would seem logical then, for the IFA to assert its uniqueness through the adoption of a new, separate anthem, as the FAW and SFA have done.

It has been suggested that the notion of changing the Northern Ireland football anthem to something “less British” is a mere red herring, because some players will continue to opt for the Republic of Ireland in opposition to what is an inescapably British association. While this suggestion may contain a degree of truth, it would be remarkably naïve to suggest that moving towards neutral ground would make absolutely no difference. Why exactly has there been such a clamour about the issue through the years, one asks?

On BBC Radio Ulster last week, Joel Taggart took calls from a variety of callers and I was struck by the views of one caller who complained, much like a petulant child, about the fact that the IFA always comes in for criticism. In a tremendous fit of 'whataboutery', he strangely moaned “Why is it always the IFA, why don't people ask the Republic to change their anthem?”. 

To try and drag the FAI into the debate is utterly desperate - the issue is the IFA's to resolve and the FAI have nothing to do with it.

So the issue is indeed the IFA's to resolve, but who should they consult? Current Northern Ireland fans, desperately clinging to the identity of their national team, snarl that only they should have a say and that those who do not support Northern Ireland in its current guise should not have any input whatsoever; it's “their” wee team, after all, they argue. 

It seems strange to me however, that a team that purports to represent the people of the six counties of Northern Ireland would not at least take into consideration the views of those people as a whole. The IFA is the governing body for football in Northern Ireland, it is not the governing body for football for current Northern Ireland supporters alone.

The IFA faces many obstacles in a society that has always been characterised by division and conflict. If they wish to be an association representative of the people of Northern Ireland and attract those from all corners of society, they must start being proactive and assume the most neutral ground conceivable without favouring one side over the other. The alternative, of course, is the status quo and, well, look where that has got them.

Gary McAllister and the Letter to the FAI

FAI causing "Apartheid" according to the AONISC

After overcoming Estonia over the two legs, Ireland have made it to the final stages of the European Championships. On Tuesday night, the result of 1-1 was irrelevant and the carnival atmosphere was king; the Lansdowne Roar is back.

The celebrations carried on well into the night and no doubt there were quite a few suffering yesterday as a result, FAI CEO John Delaney probably among them. I wonder, then, what he thought when he received a hand-delivered letter from Gary McAllister, the Chairman of the Amalgamation of Official Northern Ireland Supporters' Clubs, asking him not to select northern born Irish nationals?

I'd say the letter still hasn't got to him, but if and when it does, he'll probably dismiss it, along with the other inane ramblings of Northern Ireland fans against the FAI. The letter apparently refers to an “ongoing situation” that is supposedly “immoral in footballing [sic] terms” and calls upon the FAI “to enter into a new, bi-lateral agreement with the Irish Football Association on the matter”.

Playing on Delaney's response to the acrimonious nature of elimination from the 2010 World Cup, Mr McAllister pleaded for the FAI Chief Executive “to apply the same principles of integrity which he himself had advocated when the Republic of Ireland fell victim to the infamous hand-ball elimination aganist France in 2009”.

What would such a bi-lateral agreement look like, I wonder? The Northern Ireland fans are proposing that the two associations reach an agreement that is not mutually beneficial: it suits the IFA only. If this is indeed a fan-driven incentive, I would suggest that FAI fans also have a say before any agreement is even considered. That would make things interesting, don't you think?

Furthermore, not only is the issue of player eligibility not "ongoing" having been settled since the autumn of 2010 when the IFA resoundingly lost their Court of Arbitration case, but to describe a northern born Irish national's decision to play for his country as “immoral” is outrageous. It is an insult. To accuse the FAI of encouraging a type of "Football Apartheid" is also utterly ludicrous. Sheer unbridled sensationalist tripe, is what it is. What about the fact that Northern Ireland fans insist on dividing the island into two teams, while other sports continue playing on an all-Ireland basis, could that be considered "Apartheid"? No, no. The FAI and players who look to Dublin rather than London (or even Belfast) are the bad guys here.

Thankfully I'm not the only one who considers these charges against the FAI and players who wish to play for their country as outrageously insulting; FAI CEO John Delaney has repeatedly made it known that he is extremely pleased that Irish nationals have the choice to play for their country - I'm sure he'll be keen to defend that choice, in the interests of protecting the integrity of national identity.

Don't tell British Associations what to do FIFA

Nothing political to see here

So after much consternation and brouhaha, the English and Welsh FAs have been granted a compromise by FIFA which will see them wear an armband with a poppy rather than a poppy on the front of the shirt.


Bravo, victory for the British associations. To think that FIFA were actually trying to tell the English FA what to do! Do they not know that England invented the game? The cheek!

FIFA eventually relented from their previous position when the political figures Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and British Prime Minister David Cameron wrote to FIFA, presumably telling FIFA how it was wrong to prohibit the poppy and that there was absolutely nothing political about it.

Nothing political... right.

The Royal British Legion said the dispute was not between itself and FIFA, nor even the English FA and FIFA, but the British public and FIFA. How's that, eh? Indeed, the British media has already described FIFA as having "backed down" and yielding to the "demands" of the English FA. But in reality, it's more like a tired parent granting a petulant child one sweet rather than the whole bag.

The world governing body of football expressly forbids the flaunting of political, religious or commercial messages on the shirts of their member associations. That seems fair enough to me. International sport is political enough without encouraging aggressively partisan advertisements.

Ah, but being told what to do doesn't sit right with some. The whole affair reminded me of the time when another British association, namely the Irish FA, took FIFA - and the Football Association of Ireland - to the Court of Arbitration for Sport with the complaint that FIFA were interpreting their own eligibility rules wrongly, to the detriment of the IFA. Yes, really. Read that back to yourself again.

I'm slightly disappointed with FIFA's decision. They granted a compromise after an unremitting media storm, coupled with British politicians flexing their political muscle.

But if the English FA and the British public feel like honouring members of a force whose purpose often involves murder, by creating a shameful fuss about wearing a poppy on their shirts at a football game, essentially diminishing the whole thing to a fashion statement, they can knock themselves out.

A Load of Poppycock!

The Poppy on England jacket

After a wave of media reportage on the issue, British Prime Minister David Cameron has also issued a scathing attack on FIFA after the world football governing body remained steadfast in its decision to prohibit the English national team from wearing poppies on their shirts for the upcoming game against Spain.


Cameron said:

"This seems outrageous. The idea that wearing a poppy to remember those who have given their lives for our freedom is a political act is absurd. Wearing a poppy is an act of huge respect and national pride. I hope that FIFA will reconsider."

Wow. What rhetorical nonsense. Cameron fails to see the irony of a politician playing down the political symbolism of the poppy. Downplaying politics in international sport is in itself futile, since international sport is inherently political, nations representing states and whatnot.


Wearing the poppy might be an act of respect to some, but it also glorifies war in an overtly triumphalist manner. Creating such a bluster over the manner is unneccessary and counterproductive. A cynic might say it demonstrates the obstinacy of the English FA.


Calm down lads, it's only a poppy. You can pay your respects in other, less ostentatious ways.


You might even have a bit of class.

All the King's Men

Ireland U21 Team v Hungary

Ireland under-21 boss Noel King has now been in the job for over a year and having inherited a talented group of players, he has improved significantly on Don Givens' efforts as coach with some reasonable results. Ahead of Ireland's under-21 game against Liechtenstein, it is worth looking at the wealth of talent which bubbles beneath the senior squad, in what is quite a young under 21 group.

Goalkeepers
Ireland has never been spoiled for choice when it comes to goalkeepers, but has been lucky enough to have two colossal Donegal men between the posts for the majority of the past 20 years. However, there is a growing worry that once Shay Given hangs up his gloves, with no obvious young pretender ready to pick them up, Ireland will face a goalkeeper crisis. King has experimented with several goalkeepers but only one has been ever-present in his squads and that is Dubliner Ian McLoughlin. The towering custodian has firmly established himself as King's number one. Now 20 years old, McLoughlin began his professional career at Ipswich Town but has since moved on to League One outfit MK Dons after brief loan spells at Lowestoft Town and Stockport County.
King has also used the likes Richie Branagan and Michael Quirke in friendly games, but it is Monaghan man Aaron McCarey who has emerged as understudy to McLoughlin. The 19 year old Wolves reserve goalkeeper Aaron McCarey had long been number one at under-19 level and after Ireland's impressive run in the Under 19 European Championships, UEFA picked McCarey out as “One to Watch”, describing him as an “intimidating figure inside his area”. He has recently made the step-up from Paul Doolin's under-19s to Noel King's under-21s but is currently the second choice, although he will undoubtedly stake a strong claim for the number one shirt.

Defenders
Through the years, Ireland has had some tremendous defenders playing football at the highest level. Kevin Moran, Paul McGrath, Steve Staunton and Denis Irwin are just some of the names that immediately spring to mind. However, in recent times, there has been a lamentable drought of talent and Richard Dunne is arguably the only defender worth talking about in the same bracket as the aforementioned individuals. Amazingly, Noel King has been deploying a defence made up of four natural centre backs and each of them possess undoubted potential to progress in the game. 20 year old Rob Kiernan is an English born Irish under age international who recently signed for Wigan Athletic and is currently King's captain, having captained previous Irish teams. The centre-half started his career as a midfielder but switched to defence and he has been ever-present in Noel King's backline since he took over.
Niall Canavan is another English-born Irish international who currently plies his trade at Scunthorpe United. The 20 year old declared for Ireland in 2011, and has emerged as Noel King's preferred choice alongside Rob Kiernan at centre-half. Canavan has played many games for League One team Scunthorpe, and while 'Iron' fans have high-hopes for the young man, he has found his appearances limited with fellow Irish international, the on-loan Shane Duffy, being Alan Knill's preferred choice. 19 year old Derry man Shane Duffy already has a wealth of experience behind him. The giant centre-half made his Everton debut at the tender age of 17 and could possibly have had senior international honours had he not suffered a life-threatening injury at 18 while with Trapattoni's senior side. Duffy had a loan spell at Championship outfit Burnley in the 2010-2011 season and is currently on loan at Scunthorpe United where he has firmly established himself in Alan Knill's starting eleven.
Bolton's Mark Connolly is another centre-half in King's squad, but he has been playing mostly at right back or in midfield, a versatility that the Monaghan native believes is an invaluable strength in the modern game. Now 19 years of age, Connolly's manager Owen Coyle has stated his willingness to play the defender at centre back. Gavin Gunning is a further natural centre-half but is equally adept at left-back, which is where he has featured during King's tenure. At 20 years of age, Gunning is arguably one of the most experienced and certainly one of the most decorated players in the squad, having represented Ireland at all underage levels. He kicked off his career at Blackburn, but has since moved on to SPL side Dundee United after several successful loan spells in Scotland and the lower leagues in England. Left back Greg Cunningham is only 20 years of age yet has already featured three times for Giovanni Trapattoni's senior side. The Galway man suffered a horrendous leg-break in the 2010-2011 season, but has since returned to full fitness and has been included in Noel King's squad to face Liechtenstein.

Midfielders

Despite the vast improvement on Steve Staunton's regime, the reign of Giovanni Trapattoni has also embarrassingly exposed the painful weakness in the Irish midfield. For all their efforts, the likes of Glenn Whelan, Keith Andrews, Darron Gibson and Keith Fahey have been largely ineffective in the rigid 4-4-2 formation, with many fans begging for a change of formation, or at least mentality. Noel King's under-21 side, in contrast, is brimming with talent in the middle of the park. Chelsea reserve player Conor Clifford has represented Ireland at all underage levels, often playing a full year above his age-group. A skillful midfielder with great vision and a powerful shot, the 19 year old captained Chelsea to FA Youth Cup glory and has had two loan spells to date, with Plymouth Argyle and Notts County. Indeed, Clifford's progress was recently recognised with a call-up to Giovanni Trapattoni's senior side in August 2011.

Dubliner Robbie Brady is a real star in the making. The 19 year old Manchester United winger is currently on loan at Hull City where his dazzling skill and speed has already made him a fan-favourite. Interestingly, the former St Kevin's Boys player's Ireland career appeared to be in doubt following an alleged disagreement with under 19 manager Paul Doolin prior to the Under 19 European Championships, but he has since made the step up to under 21 level and, to Noel King's delight, has been thriving, scoring three goals in five appearances. After experiencing recurring injuries early in his career, Brady is finally realising his massive potential.

Leeds United player Aidy White recently declared his allegiance to Ireland in 2011 after having played for England at under 19 level. Equally adept at left-back or left-wing, White has been playing on the wing for Noel King and has impressed greatly in his three performances to date. 20 year old Celtic player Richie Towell is currently into his second loan spell at Hibernian. Another versatile player, Towell can play at right back, but it is at centre midfield where he has impressed for Noel King's under 21s. Towell is a tireless ball-winning midfielder who commits himself admirably to tackles. A controversial recent inclusion in King's under-21 side is Preston North End player Adam Barton. Barton is a lanky, but graceful attacking midfielder and it is interesting to note that the English-born 20 year old actually has a senior cap for Northern Ireland. However, he opted to play for the Republic instead and has since represented the FAI on two occasions. Derby County midfielder, Jeff Hendrick has made the step up from under 19 level to cement a starting berth in King's under 21s. The 19 year old has a tremendous amount of potential, which has been showcased in his performances for Derby this season.

Strikers

With Robbie Keane entering the twilight of his career, Ireland are in desperate need of a goalscorer. Sadly however, there is a distinct lack of firepower in Noel King's under 21 squad. Nevertheless, King has utilised a number of quality players in attack. For example, the likes of Crystal Palace forward, the English born Sean Scannell has shown that he has plenty of potential. Indeed, Scannell was previously included in Giovanni Trapattoni's senior squad; unfortunately, the 21 year old has been plagued by injuries, forcing him to withdraw from many squads. Arsenal youngster, the English born Rhys Murphy, has also recently declared for Ireland having played at under 19 and under 17 level for England, while English born James Collins has been a regular for Ireland at under 19 and under 21 level. Collins started his career at Aston Villa but now finds himself with League Two side, Shrewsbury. Finally, another English born player, Joe Mason, who has played for Ireland at under 19 and under 21 level is now playing regularly for Cardiff, having signed from League Two outfit, Plymouth Argyle.