Alex Bruce to switch to NI?

doncarlos · 15-06-2011 11:04AM

I am pie wrote: »

We've the same right to have a international football team as scotland & wales. End of.

I'm sure Catalan, Basque, Palestine would all love their own International sides too.
Northern Ireland (Scotland and Wales) only exist for traditional reasons and the power of the English FA. As world cup 2022 shows the English FA don't have close to the power they used to have and the real power is now with the smaller nations. If the IFA keep pushing and pushing this issue I could see it eventually backfiring and UEFA and FIFA getting pissed off with them I've read in the past about some of the smaller nations especially in Europe seeing three extra qualifying places gone if there was a GB team.

I am pie · 15-06-2011 11:36AM

Right, your perfectly entitled to your opinion, if you really think Northern Ireland, Scotland & Wales have the same footing as Catalunya, Basque country etc that's grand. FIFA don't see it that way and despite your exercise in pipe dreaming, that isn't going to change anytime soon.

The political aspect of this debate has nothing to do with the soccer forum so i won't take any further part.

maximoose · 15-06-2011 11:38AM

As I said in the Leeds thread:

As a Norn Iron fan, I'm not sure I want Bruce. I remember a few years ago when he chose to play for Ireland he said in the press it was because "they are a better team" or something along those lines.

Plus, the problem with the FAI getting players to swap teams should be stopped, not have the IFA join them in doing the same thing.

kfallon · 15-06-2011 11:41AM

Good riddance to him, he is useless, wouldn't get a kick in a stampede!

Like father, like son, he defo has his ould lad's loyalty anyway!

doncarlos · 15-06-2011 11:45AM

I am pie wrote: »

Right, your perfectly entitled to your opinion, if you really think Northern Ireland, Scotland & Wales have the same footing as Catalunya, Basque country etc that's grand. FIFA don't see it that way and despite your exercise in pipe dreaming, that isn't going to change anytime soon.

I would agree that they don't have the same footing but only for traditional/historical reasons not for geographical reasons. FIFA also see it that anybody born on the Ireland of Ireland has the right to play for Republic of Ireland so the North should only abide by FIFA's rulings when it suits them?

I am pie wrote: »

The political aspect of this debate has nothing to do with the soccer forum so i won't take any further part.

But that's the problem politics has everything to do with this debate as the situation wouldn't have manifested but for politcs.

I am pie · 15-06-2011 12:12PM

doncarlos wrote: »

I would agree that they don't have the same footing but only for traditional/historical reasons not for geographical reasons. FIFA also see it that anybody born on the Ireland of Ireland has the right to play for Republic of Ireland so the North should only abide by FIFA's rulings when it suits them?

Maybe you missed the my previous posts where i said I supported the right of anyone born anywhere in Ireland to play for Ireland.

We'll agree to disagree on the Geography. Northern Ireland is a country within the United Kingdom. It's a reasonably unique state of affairs, however for the time being it is a political reality. Good luck trying to convince Scotland they are not a country. I really am ducking out of this aspect of the discussion as it has nowhere to go.

But that's the problem politics has everything to do with this debate as the situation wouldn't have manifested but for politcs.

I think we agree on the rights of Irish players to play for Ireland. Where we possibly differ is that i believe that if they have represented an international side at any level above schoolboy they shouldn't be able to switch allegiance. If these players come from nationalist families they should wear that on their sleeves and play for Ireland (RoI to be clear) from that level on. Appreciate that is complicated and not applicable for schoolboys due to potential travel requirements but beyond that (certainly U-19 and up at least) you should remain with your chosen international side. My understanding is that you can switch so long as you haven't played a full international ?

Is that a fair compromise ?

On the potential dissolution of the IFA / SFA and whatever the Welsh call their crowd. Jim Boyce, former IFA president is now FIFA Vice-President and has wasted no time in calling the English arrogant. Scotland & Wales have followed suit, I'm pretty sure they are 'in' with the FIFA exec. No danger at all of dissolution.

UpTheSlashers · 15-06-2011 02:50PM

Paul4As wrote: »

As a Northern Ireland supporter I don't particularly like Nigel Worthington...but how is he a bigot?

Referrring to the Good Friday Agreement as a "loophole"?

Paul4As · 16-06-2011 09:57AM

UpTheSlashers wrote: »

Referrring to the Good Friday Agreement as a "loophole"?

Nigel Worthington has never said that players born in Northern Ireland can not have Irish passports....or British passports...they can have either as agreed by the Good Friday Agreement. I'm sure there are a few current first team players for Northern Ireland who have Irish passports.
You got any evidence of Nigel commenting on denying a Northern Irish player the right to an Irish passport before you call the man a bigot?
By the way I don't think there is any mention in the Good Friday Agreement over player eligibilty for Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland in football!

Beefy78 · 16-06-2011 11:59AM

I am pie wrote: »

On the potential dissolution of the IFA / SFA and whatever the Welsh call their crowd. Jim Boyce, former IFA president is now FIFA Vice-President and has wasted no time in calling the English arrogant. Scotland & Wales have followed suit, I'm pretty sure they are 'in' with the FIFA exec. No danger at all of dissolution.

Source?

Scotland stood with England over the Blatter/election fiasco. Seems a bit odd that they'd turn on the FA now.

There's no danger of FIFA forcing the UK sides together for as long as each 'country' runs its own league systems independent of eachother and for as long as England remains one of the largest television markets and source of adverstising revenue.

I am pie · 16-06-2011 04:05PM

Maybe Scotland sided with England, i could be wrong there. Wales, FAI & IFA didn't which i guess is more relevant.

Anyway, we agree. There is no danger of IFA, Wales and indeed Scotland being forced out of international competition due to a variety of reasons.

Paul4as - It's as simple as this for me. If you are a passport holder then you are eligible for the team you hold a passport for.

Again, i'm interested in hearing if anyone disagrees with having a rule which states you stick with the country you've played for at u19 or u21 level.

IRISHSPORTSGUY · 16-06-2011 04:10PM

Not as good as Dunne, Clark and O'Shea and on par with the likes of St Ledger and O'Dea. No loss.

Guy:Incognito · 16-06-2011 06:11PM

doncarlos wrote: »

I'm sure Catalan, Basque, Palestine would all love their own International sides too. .

This Palestine? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palestine_national_football_team

The Basques (and the Catalans too iirc) do have an international team that play sometimes.

I am pie · 16-06-2011 07:15PM

Guy:Incognito wrote: »

This Palestine? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palestine_national_football_team

The Basques (and the Catalans too iirc) do have an international team that play sometimes.

Neither basque or catalan teams are recognised / affiliated to FIFA or UEFA

Alex Bruce to switch to NI?

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