The Court of Arbitration in Sport finds in favour of the FAI over players born in 06

[Cass]

I think it was the correct decision. Nationalists usually follow the Republic and it recognises the unique position of NI in World football.

BBC Sport - Football - IFA fails in bid to halt player exodus to Republic

[4horsemen]

"The Scottish Football Association adopted "Flower of Scotland" as its pre-game anthem in 1997 although it was first used by them in 1993" [wikipedia] - I cann't see when the Welsh adopted their national anthem [maybe they never used 'god serve the queen']. But the practice of NI, using what is essentially the englisn national anthem, does confirm the narow mindness of unionism. So I would support the adoption by the republic of a new anthem - not the awful 'come the day' - which would encourage 'inclusiveness' and other warm and embracing ideas with 32 county teams in all sports.

[Sync]

I think it was the correct decision. Nationalists usually follow the Republic and it recognises the unique position of NI in World football.

BBC Sport - Football - IFA fails in bid to halt player exodus to Republic

No....no you've actually completely missed the point. The finding was that NI wasn't different at all, and that one's citizenship dictated who you were allowed play for. So duel Irish/Northern Irish citizenship means you can choose, just like in Suriname/Netherlands

[Cass]

No....no you've actually completely missed the point. The finding was that NI wasn't different at all, and that one's citizenship dictated who you were allowed play for. So duel Irish/Northern Irish citizenship means you can choose, just like in Suriname/Netherlands

You're right of course but I'm sure the political situation in the North was considered. I mean if Ireland started issuing passports to South Americans I'm sure FIFA would have favoured a different outcome.

[dv-drummer]

Isn't this just for those who played for NI at youth level ? Is senior level not different in that you pick one and stay ?

[Sync]

Isn't this just for those who played for NI at youth level ? Is senior level not different in that you pick one and stay ?

Yes once you have a senior cap you're done, you can't switch nations. Up to that point you can, whether you've played under 19s and 21s or not. So it's perfectly possible for someone to play under 19s for England and then senior for Wales, like Giggs did for instance.

[dv-drummer]

Ok thanks Sync .

[Jaymac]

Yes once you have a senior cap you're done, you can't switch nations. Up to that point you can, whether you've played under 19s and 21s or not. So it's perfectly possible for someone to play under 19s for England and then senior for Wales, like Giggs did for instance.

Giggs played for England schoolboys because he went to school in England. It's a common misconception that he switched allegiance - he was never eligible to play for the England senior team.

Very pleased (but not at all surprised) with today's decision.

[Portstewart]

Fine, but the problem I have is with them using the NI youth teams as a leg up before switching sides. The IFA need to ensure now that the resources they are putting into youth football and coaching are focused on players who are committed to NI. And I don't just mean Protestants, as young Rory McIlroy shows there are plenty of young Catholics who love Northern Ireland.

PS you will never ever produce a Bestie.

[Scipio]

In fairness, who uses the NI youth sytem as a ''leg up"? Modern players are trained and made by their clubs, not their respective associations.

Furthermore, the IFA has taken advantage of the situation in the past by recruiting ex-English youth players like Oliver Norwood.

Irish citizens born on any part of the island have a right to play for their soccer team., there was no chance that was ever going to be overturned. Whoever advised the IFA to pursue this case has just cost them quite a few bob.