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.

“I’m delighted FIFA have supported us (in the past) and we’ll turn up at CAS and make a very strong case on why it should be retained. There’s a tradition there, if people accept it or not. There are a lot of people in Northern Ireland who have an affinity to the south and want to play for us. The FAI’s position has been solidified because, every time this has been tested, we have been supported by FIFA.”

Duffy’s parents have spoken about how central Liam Brady was to the process which saw their son choose the Republic but the Arsenal legend’s duties as Irish assistant manager will come to an end as of next month.

With Trapattoni and Tardelli domiciled in Italy, it was rumoured that a British-based replacement might be sought for the Dubliner but both Delaney and Trapattoni seem to be of the belief that it may not be necessary.

“Liam’s role was necessary at the start. There are not too many countries who had two assistant managers. We had Marco and Liam. We spoke to Giovanni about that and he didn’t see the need for somebody in the role that Liam had, and to the extent that Liam had. That said, we are strongly looking at the whole UK scouting system in terms of how we scout young players, not just for the senior team, but for all underage international matches.”

Delaney will discuss that with the FAI’s International Performance Director, Wim Koevermans, in the months to come. They have already sat down to mull over the ongoing run of defeats suffered by Don Givens’ U21s.

A 2-1 defeat to Armenia in Tallaght last week was only the latest in a catalogue of disastrous results for the Irish side at that grade – the team’s last competitive victory was in 2007 against Bulgaria.

Though he declined to comment on any one person’s position, Delaney admitted that the Armenia result was disappointing while, at the same time, praising Given’s long association with football at international level.

“All I will say is that Don Givens has been a great servant for Ireland on the pitch. He has been a pleasure for the association to work with and he should be treated with respect for what he has done. If there is anything to say about him going into the future and about who will manage the U21 team we will say it but we are not in any rush about that role because the next time we play is August.”

Delaney was also quizzed on the FAI’s decision to reduce the prize fund in the Airtricity League by 40%. His response yesterday was that the prize fund was still 118% greater than when the FAI took over the league’s affairs and that the overall spend still compares favourably to last season.

“Clubs are guaranteed €40,000 for playing in the Premier League this season. That is a lot better than what it ever was before.”