The chief executive of the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) has told Metro Eireann of his plans to tackle the issue of players good enough to play for the Irish national teams but who are without Irish passports.
Speaking after the launch of the FAI’s Intercultural Football Plan, John Delaney said: “Conor Lenihan has been appointed to a junior minister portfolio [as Minister for Integration] and we will be seeking a meeting with Conor to discuss all aspects of the plan we are launching today.”
He continued: “Obviously [the issue of] guys who want to play for Ireland but who haven’t got passports is an important issue, and we will certainly be addressing that when we meet the minister.”
Delaney claimed that the FAI had already intervened in one such case – that of Emeka Onwubiko, a striker who has played with Ireland underage teams.
Onwubiko, who came to Ireland from Nigeria as a 12-year-old, was prevented from taking part in overseas tournaments and in competitive matches because he did not have an Irish passport. Delaney said: “We made representations to the department in relation to that case.” The teenager was issued with an Irish passport in April of this year.
During his speech at the event for the Intercultural Football Plan, which was launched by Irish soccer legend Paul McGrath, Delaney stressed the importance of taking an intercultural approach to football.
He commented: “Working towards a fully intercultural and socially-inclusive society is a key challenge for all members of Irish society. The FAI is keen to play its role and in this regard we have been very proactive.”
FAI intercultural co-ordinator Des Tomlinson added that the launch of the plan “is an important landmark in the FAI’s efforts to promote football amongst members of minority ethnic and cultural communities within Ireland”.
He continued: “Given that Irish society has and continues to become more ethnically and culturally diverse, this plan also seeks to use football as a vehicle to promote a fully intercultural and socially inclusive society at ease within its growing diversity.”
