Delaney confident court will back FAI in player allegiance row

FAI chief executive John Delaney is optimistic the Lausanne-based Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) will rule in favour of the FAI in the ongoing tussle over Northern Irish players declaring for the Republic.

The Irish Football Association (IFA) upped the ante at the end of February when deciding to take the player eligibility dispute to CAS in an attempt to prevent more Northern Ireland-born players opting for their southern counterparts.

It followed Everton player Shane Duffy’s decision to declare for the Republic having played for Northern Ireland up to Under-21 level – although they have no objection to his decision in particular.