CAS rules in FAI’s favour

THE FAI yesterday won a landmark victory after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, Switzerland ruled that any player born on the island of Ireland can play for the Republic even though they may have previously played for Northern Ireland at schoolboy, under-age, youth and U21 level.

That could mean an opening of the floodgates for the FAI meaning that any player born in the North can now play for the Republic, providing they have an Irish passport to which they are all entitled under the Good Friday agreement.

“The historic decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport confirms FIFA and FAI practice on player eligibility,’’ said a delighted FAI Chief Executive John Delaney.