IFA embroiled in passport dispute

Irish Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern, has today been urged to put pressure on the soccer governing body FIFA to change its mind about insisting Northern Ireland international players must hold British passports.

Mr Ahern was approached by representatives from Sinn Fein and the SDLP, in a bid to encourage him to intervene after FIFA contacted the Irish Football Association (IFA) saying that its officials cannot determine whether footballers with Irish passports can play for NI.

In a letter to IFA chief executive Howard Wells, FIFA said: "The fact that a player holds an Irish Republic passport does not demonstrate conclusively, that he or she is eligible to play for Northern Ireland."

Mr Ahern said Northern Ireland players should be able to travel on Irish passports if they wanted.

The IFA had argued a special case could be made for Northern Ireland players because under the Good Friday Agreement people there are entitled to British and Irish citizenship.

However, FIFA have replied saying that it was unrealistic to expect a match commissioner to determine whether a player fulfils the requirements set out in the Good Friday Agreement on the basis of information displayed on the passport; on whether the player was born in the territory of Northern Ireland; and whether at least one of his or her parents was entitled to live there.

Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness, who today raised the issue with the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin, said that the judgement evaded human rights.

He said: "This is a human right, a national right for Irish citizens to carry an Irish passport.

"What in effect FIFA is saying is that anyone in the North of Ireland who exercises their right, as recognised by both the British and Irish governments, to claim Irish citizenship and therefore the right to travel on an Irish passport does not qualify to play for the North's soccer team.

He continued: "If the logic of this ruling was to be followed through by other sporting organisations it could have far reaching ramifications for sport in all of Ireland.

"The Irish government must take this matter up with FIFA as a matter of urgency."

The SDLP's Pat Ramsey said that FIFA's ruling was a huge set back for people who wanted to play for Northern Ireland without compromising their citizenship.

He said: "It is clear that the Irish government and the IFA must take a stand against what is essentially the sporting marginalisation of half the community in the north.

"This decision is discriminatory, it is damaging, and in the context of the Good Friday Agreement, it is illegal."

The Irish Foreign Minister added the FIFA should not insist that Northern Ireland players should carry a British passport.

He said: "I accept that FIFA and the IFA in order to improve eligibility would have to have some proof of a British passport.

"But from a travelling point of view, if a player wishes, as he is entitled to under the Good Friday Agreement, to produce an Irish passport, in my view that should be accepted at the receiving country."

The Irish FA's chief executive Howard Wells described FIFA's verdict as "unfortunate for Northern Ireland" and added that it is a difficult issue, which has to be dealt with correctly.

(EF/SP)