Farrelly and Healy - FAI Reply

I mailed the FAI last Thursday on this subject. They replied on the 5th, but I didn't get a chance to check my mail until today.

The answer is below. For what its worth, it would seem the FAI is broadly onside with us. However it looks like the situation is firmly in the Clubs hands for further action. Would be interested in what ye all think. I also though that this was very much the view from the FAI in the discussion on 96 FM yesterday.

"Richard,

Thanks for your correspondence on this matter. We realise that this issue is of great concern to all supporters of Cork City F.C., and you can rest assured that we share your concerns.

As an association, we have been working very hard on this issue over the last number of weeks. An FAI delegation traveled to Zurich to meet with FIFA in order to outline our concerns with Article 5.3 as it stands. While the FAI supports the objectives of the ruling, we do feel that its present wording presents problems for leagues that operate during the summer months.

FIFA acknowledged our concerns with the ruling and advised the FAI to write a submission to the Player Status Department regarding Article 5.3. We will continue to work on this matter over the coming weeks and months in order to attempt to secure a long-term solution to this issue.

At the Zurich meeting, FIFA informed the FAI that it would deal with the ten cases only on a case-by-case basis. Therefore, each case was assembled and submitted on an individual basis. The FAI handled eight of the submissions, with Cork City F.C. handling the two submissions for their players.

Each case was then judged on its own individual merits. As the case was handled by Cork City F.C., and as it is still an on-going case, I’m sure you will appreciate that we cannot discuss the details of the judgement.

Cork City F.C. has 21 days from last Monday to lodge an appeal. While the FAI will help the club with any appeal, the decision on whether or not to appeal is a matter for the club.

As an association, we want the best players to be playing in our league. Therefore, we share your frustration that two players of such undoubted quality have been deemed ineligible for the time being.

I sincerely hope that this issue will not detract from the good work being done throughout the league at the moment. The FAI is bound by FIFA regulations and, having gone through the proper channels and having gone to great lengths to solve this situation, we feel that we have responded correctly to this situation.

While I cannot end your frustration with this matter, I hope this email goes some way towards answering your questions.

Regards,

Eoghan

Eoghan Rice
FAI eircom League of Ireland Communications Executive
Football Association of Ireland
80 Merrion Square
Dublin 2"

Farrelly and Healy - online petition

I have setup an online petition to be signed and sent to both the FAI and FIFA.


Healy and Farrelly Online Petition

Can you have a look at the wording, and can someone let me know if anything
is way out of order.

If its all OK I will start publicising it on other sites as well - could you all do the
same on any other football sites you are aware of.

Cheers