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.

Both sides made separate representations to FIFA in recent months and football’s world governing body has now issued proposals to resolve the dispute. In effect, they have upheld the status quo, albeit that their compromise suggestion would also permit players in the south to declare for the north if they so wish.

The FAI’s initial reaction to the news was understandably favourable, although both Associations have still to study the detail before making a formal response to FIFA.

In a statement yesterday the FAI said: “The Football Association of Ireland has received correspondence from FIFA’s Legal Committee today regarding the eligibility of players.

“The Association is pleased that FIFA have once again upheld the principle that players born in Northern Ireland should be free to choose whether they wish to play for the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland.

“The FAI will now meet with its legal advisors to review in detail the proposals contained in the FIFA letter before formulating a response.”