FIFA clears winger’s switch to Ireland from Northern Ireland

By: The Associated Press Posted: 8:38 AM CST Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021

ZURICH - After a two-year pursuit by the Ireland Football Association, Michael Duffy’s transfer of national team eligibility from Northern Ireland was cleared on Thursday.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

ZURICH - After a two-year pursuit by the Ireland Football Association, Michael Duffy’s transfer of national team eligibility from Northern Ireland was cleared on Thursday.

Read unlimited articles for free today:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 04/02/2021 (2040 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

ZURICH – After a two-year pursuit by the Ireland Football Association, Michael Duffy’s transfer of national team eligibility from Northern Ireland was cleared on Thursday.

FIFA said Thursday it approved the change of association for the former Northern Ireland youth and Under-21 international.

The 26-year-old winger was called up by Northern Ireland for a World Cup qualifying game in 2016 then withdrew from the squad before the team played the Czech Republic.

Duffy was targeted in 2018 by Ireland’s then-coach, Martin O’Neill. The paperwork required by FIFA was not yet complete when his former manager at Dundalk, Stephen Kenny, took over last year.

Duffy played for Dundalk in nine Europa League games this season, including both against Arsenal in the group stage. He had a two-year spell at Celtic without breaking into the first team.

FIFA has also processed the Canadian association’s request to select former Portugal defender Ricardo Ferreira.

The Canada-born former AC Milan player was able to switch because his one selection by Portugal was not in a competitive game. Ferreira played in a 2017 friendly against the United States, which gave teenagers Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams debuts that day.

___

More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports