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

[bobbysands81]

(Although this is a sporting issue it's a political issue as well thus I've not put in the "Sport" forum, if a mod wants to overrule and delete this intro then that's not a problem.)

Backing up the decision of both the FAI and FIFA the CAS today has found in favour of the FAI that players born in the 06 are entitled to declare for the Republic of Ireland.

The IFA won't be happy and will be left with having to pay the legal costs of the challenge.

Fantastic news this.

No links to the judgement yet.

I wonder will this lead to the IFA being more inclusive to nationalists and lead them to drop the Union Jack and God Save the Queen in a similar nature to how the IRFU sing Ireland's Call and don't use the tricolour much?

It might also be a catalyst for one team representing the entire island.

[pujols]

Too late; it would have meant more if it meant Jennings and Bestie!

[mutley]

Good news

[toughbutfair]

so we'll get the talented...............

oh well

[Grumpy Jack]

Great news. Can't wait to hear the bleating from the usual bigots in the North.

[Sync]

Here's the link from the Beeb:
BBC Sport - Football - IFA fails in bid to halt player exodus to Republic

The Court of Arbitration for Sport has ruled against the Irish FA's bid to prevent more Northern Ireland-born players opting for the Republic.

IFA president Raymond Kennedy says he is "disappointed" by the decision.

"We will continue to develop our very successful and wide range of 'Football for All' and community programmes in the areas of grassroots, domestic and international football to ensure that anyone available to play for Northern Ireland will want to do so," he added.

A statement from the IFA said the association would "not be making any official comment on the decision at this time as the full reasons for the decision have not yet been announced".

The IFA also wished Kearns "the best of luck in his future footballing career".

And the original thread: http://www.politics.ie/culture-commu...er-exodus.html

It's interesting for us to talk about here, but this was always the IFA pissing away money on the challenge. Never had a prayer of winning.

[SirHenryGrattan]

Can players born in the Republic declare for NI?

[rockofcashel]

Can players born in the Republic declare for NI?

If they are British yes.. what the IFA seemed to not realise was, that under the Good Friday Agreement, people born in the 6 counties are entitled to both Irish and/or British citizenship.. those born in the Republic of Ireland are not entitled to this, unless a parent is born before the declaration of a republic in 1949

[LDF]

This is a good ruling for those players in the six counties who see the Republic's anthem as their anthem, who see Dublin as their capital, who see themselves as Irish.

I can understand why the IFA will be tearing their hair out over this especially over those players whom they've taken through the underage ranks.

Perhaps the IFA will review their policy of using God save the Queen as their anthem of choice. I don't think that will make much difference though.

[bobbysands81]

Can players born in the Republic declare for NI?

Nope - why would they? They're not British.