FIFA come down on FAI’s side in player eligibility dispute

FIFA have come down on the side of the FAI in the dispute with the IFA over player eligibility.

The controversy came to a head when Manchester United’s Derry-born midfielder Darron Gibson , who is currently on loan at Championship side Wolves, declared for the Republic and was capped for the senior team by former Ireland manager Steve Staunton.

Despite FIFA clearing Gibson, the IFA continued to insist that only players born in the north with parents or grandparents in the south were eligible play for the Republic. For their part, the FAI maintained that players born in the north should be free to declare for the Republic.