CAS Upholds FIFA Ruling On Republic Of Ireland Eligibility For Players From Northern Ireland

Sport's highest court upheld a FIFA ruling allowing players born in Northern Ireland to play international football for the Republic of Ireland...

Jul 30, 2010 4:49:00 PM

By Stefan Coerts

More On :  Ireland, N. Ireland
Darron Gibson and Paul McShane tussle during Ireland training at Malahide

According to the Associated Press, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has dismissed an appeal by the Northern Ireland Football Federation, which claimed Ireland "poached" young attacker Daniel Kearns.

The 18-year-old attacker was born in Belfast and represented Northern Ireland at youth level before switching allegiances this year.

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CAS upheld FIFA's decision that Kearns can claim Irish nationality because he was born on the island of Ireland. Therefore, he should be able to choose to play for either team.

The Football Association of Ireland welcomed CAS' decision and hailed the complete and final clarity of the judgement.

"The ruling upholds the right of individual choice on this matter for players born north of the border," FAI chief executive John Delaney said in a statement. "The determination of Daniel Kearns and his family to uphold his right as an Irish citizen to play for his country has been decisive in this matter."

Northern Ireland's federation (IFA) said it was disappointed but accepted the decision. It conceded that Northern Ireland must continue to work to build support from the province's Irish Catholic minority, which largely supports the Republic of Ireland squad.

The IFA has struggled to retain young players it has nurtured, particularly those from the Catholic minority. Manchester United midfielder Darron Gibson, like Kearns a Catholic, also opted to play for the Republic of Ireland even though he, his parents and grandparents were born north of the border.

Northern Ireland, ranked 59th by FIFA, has failed to qualify for the past six World Cups. The 36th-ranked Republic of Ireland qualified for three of the past six World Cups.

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