“FIFA risk institutionalizing sectarianism” – Allister
12 November 2007
Statement by Jim Allister MEP:
“Following a meeting with the IFA’s Howard Wells I have today written to FIFA President Joseph Blatter outlining my strong opposition to moves allowing players from Northern Ireland to play for the Republic.
This ruling flies in the face of Circular 901 which made it clear that a player cannot represent a national team unless:
(a) the player was born on the territory of the relevant Association;
(b) his biological mother or biological father was born on the territory of the relevant Association;
(c) his grandmother or grandfather was born on the territory of the relevant Association;
(d) he has lived continuously for at least two years on the territory of the territory of the relevant Association.
Why should Northern Ireland be treated any differently from the rest of the world?
I have made it clear to Mr Blatter that this ruling will result in unsavoury sporting apartheid with an orange (Protestant) team north of the border and a green (Roman Catholic) team to the south.
This could undo much of the good work of the IFA to stamp out sectarianism at Northern Ireland’s matches over the years. The success of these efforts is seen in that Northern Ireland fans were officially crowned the best football supporters in Europe after winning the prestigious UEFA endorsed Brussels International Supporters Award 2006.
I’m not sure if FIFA fully realizes the road which it is forcing Irish football down. The prospect is quite appalling and thus I urged FIFA to pull back and not be responsible for taking a grossly backward step of institutionalizing sectarianism in football.”
