FAI chief confident as player eligibility row returns to CAS

THE Irish FA’s latest attempt to prevent players born in Northern Ireland declaring for the Republic is likely to be heard by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) within the next month and John Delaney has already expressed his confidence as to the outcome.

Soccer officials in Belfast declared their intent to take the matter to Lausanne shortly after Everton player Shane Duffy opted for the Republic having represented the north at U21.

However, Delaney made a point of stating that the FAI was not “putting advertisements out in newspapers” looking for players to come and play for the Republic and that players and parents were fully briefed before making any switch. Papers notifying the FAI of the IFA’s intentions arrived in Abbotstown on Monday and Delaney has already discussed the matter with officials from the North.