IFA chief: Gibson ineligible for Stan’s squad

NORTHERN Ireland’s football authorities have once again questioned Darron Gibson’s right to play for the Republic of Ireland, despite the fact that the Derry-born Manchester United midfielder made his senior debut for Steve Staunton’s team in Denmark last week.

Irish Football Association chief executive Howard Wells is continuing to insist that the legality of Gibson’s decision to play for the Republic remains in doubt.

Said Wells: “I don’t want to get into a war of words on this issue, but the Good Friday Agreement and passports are totally irrelevant. Under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement, I could get an Irish passport, having been a resident in Northern Ireland for over two years, but I still couldn’t play for the Republic.