FIFA Face Impossible Decision on Irish Eligibility

It’s not too often I feel sorry for FIFA, mostly because they treat the beautiful game like the world’s fattest cash cow and spend their days furiously milking it for every last drop. But every once in a while they have to do some serious work and make a tough decision, and Darron Gibson’s case is one of those times. Manchester United midfielder Gibson (currently on loan at Wolves) was born in Northern Ireland, as were his parents and grandparents. That used to mean he could play for only one national team: Northern Ireland, but Gibson has now played twice for the Republic of Ireland. The reason he’s been able to do that is the Good Friday Agreement, which guarantees Republic of Ireland citizenship to anyone born anywhere on the island of Ireland. Gibson has already made two appearances for the now managerless Ireland team, but the concept has been challenged on the grounds that Gibson should only be qualified to play for the country he was born in. Now FIFA’s executive committee has to make a final decision.

Without getting too deep into the politics of this, FIFA really can’t win. Nationalists will be all in favour of Northern Ireland born players being eligible to play for Ireland, loyalists will be set against it. There is no right answer that can please both sides.

From a purely footballing perspective, if Gibson and others like him are allowed to represent the Republic of Ireland then it’s obviously very bad news for the Northern Ireland football team. They’re already a small nation, and despite their recent David Healey-inspired success they need every good player they can possibly get. If all Northern Ireland born players are allowed the option of playing for Ireland then there will be an inevitable talent drain as talented players will want to play for the more successful nation. On the other hand, not all Northern Irish players will head south. Loyalist players will obviously prefer to play for Northern Ireland and won’t take the option that Gibson has.

All we can say is good luck to FIFA and fingers crossed that some sort of satisfactory agreement can be reached.