FIFA warned of Irish soccer divide

INTERNATIONAL football chiefs were today warned against creating a situation where unionists and nationalists in the North play for different countries.

Northern Ireland Sports Minister Edwin Poots made the appeal to FIFA following concerns that world soccer’s governing body may allow young players north of the border to play for the Republic.

As he prepared for an assembly debate tomorrow on the issue, Mr Poots told members it would be a travesty if the cross-community nature of the Northern Ireland team were to be sacrificed by the eligibility rule.