IFA and FAI wait on CAS’s eligibility ruling

THE Court of Arbitration for Sport will today announce their ruling in a case which Northern Irish soccer chiefs hope will prevent players switching to play for the Republic of Ireland.

The IFA launched their case against the FAI, young player Daniel Kearns and FIFA which was heard by CAS earlier this month.

Kearns, 18, represented Northern Ireland at U17 level but switched to play for the Republic this year and played in two European U19 Championship matches.

Under the Good Friday Agreement, Irish passports can be held by Irish citizens born on either side of the border, however the IFA are determined that players born in Northern Ireland without family links to the south should not be allowed to play for the Republic.