Footballers from Northern Ireland who want to play for the Republic will have to
meet tough restrictions.

They will have to notch up two years playing south of the border without
interruption or have close family members from there.

The Republic's governing body, the FAI, had believed they could pick Northern
Ireland-born players, even if they did not have family ties with the south.

In the north, the Irish FA said it was glad that Fifa had clarified the issue.

In a statement, the IFA said that to qualify to play for a country a player had
to be born there, have a parent or grandparent born there, or have lived there
continuously for two years.

Controversy arose earlier this year when the Irish FA protested after
Londonderry-born Darron Gibson was picked for the Republic of Ireland team.

He was born in Northern Ireland but elected to switch to the Republic after
representing the north at Under-16 level.

An Irish Football Association spokeswoman said: "Fifa have said that if we deem
any player called into the Republic of Ireland's squad ineligible then we can
bring that case to Fifa.

"We can appeal if we think they are going against any of the criteria." "They
could be playing for Manchester United but would not be eligible to play for
their country."

However, a spokesman for the FAI claimed: "We do not believe there has been any
change to Fifa's stated position that any player from Northern Ireland is
eligible to play for either Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/sport1/hi/football/internationals/7432487.stm