If I was a young premier league player I would be asking for extra money not to play for my country - the club game is much bigger, and playing for your country is just not worth the grief.........
I do but like I say I'm old fashioned about most things. That's his country of birth so he should play for them. I don't mind if you move to a country at a young age and qualify for them, afterall the world is a lot smaller than it used to be and there can be any number of circumstances that leave you feeling more akin to your adopted country. I just can't see how they can choose between the two Irelands given they are seperate states. Politics getting involved in football I suppose. I assume all Fergusons family are northern irish of course?
Seems strange that he's not responding at all. At least the club sent all required documents to the NI set up but they can't force him to answer a phone.
Under the good friday agreement anyone born in northern ireland can apply for a british or irish passport or both. If he has an irish passport then his birthplace is Ireland. So just because people are born in northen ireland doesnt automatically mean northern ireland is their birthplace. Im a catholic born in northern ireland with an irish passport that gives my birthplace as Ireland. Politics should never mix with football and I only wish we went the same way as the rugby team and had one team.






i will be cheering on both ROI and Northern Ireland 2nite
And Scotland tomorrow?
Jesus Was A Geordie:1450607 said:And Scotland tomorrow?
Lets not go that far...
(In all seriousness I'm genuinely hoping for wins for all the home nations and our slightly less homely neighbours in Eire!)
Also, sorry in advance to Welshtoon - but its gotta be Ireland in the rugby (I've knee caps to think about)
Pardew has got to sit the lad down and talk about it. He's clearly having bother making the decision and would probably appreciate his manager helping him
Thing is, if a few more players picked NI over the Republic, the balance might shift. Northern Ireland are still pretty decent, better than Wales in my opinion and not too far behind Scotland. With a couple more talented youngsters siding with them they could have a realistic go at qualifying for a major tourney.