FIFA have responded to Northern Ireland's complaint regarding the Republic of Ireland fielding players it believes are ineligible. The IFA, the Northern Irish football association, was unhappy that Town's Alex Bruce and a number of other players had been capped by the Republic.

Bruce's Irish grandmother has always been claimed as the basis for his qualification for the Republic of Ireland, with whom he has won a single senior cap, however, she was born in Bangor, County Down in Northern Ireland.

The FAI, the Republic's FA, argued that due to these connections Bruce holds a Republic of Ireland passport and is therefore able to play for them. However, the IFA claimed that holding a Republic of Ireland passport does not constitute eligibility for their football team.

Now FIFA have proposed that players from either side of the Irish border should be given a choice on who they opt to play for. This would see players from south of the border eligible for Northern Ireland for the first time and would allow the likes of Bruce to continue their international careers with the Republic.

FIFA have contacted both associations and are awaiting their comments, although the chief executive of the FAI, John Delaney, has already welcomed the move: "In principle we are very happy with the decision and delighted that common sense has prevailed.

"We will discuss and evaluate the proposal put forward. We have worked hard behind the scenes with FIFA to reach a compromise which was right. It is good news for Irish football."

The IFA said in a statement on their website that they will seek further clarification from FIFA.

Meanwhile, it has emerged that striker Billy Clarke has only been made available by Town for the Republic of Ireland U21 side's European Championship qualifier with Bulgaria on November 20th and not the game in Montenegro four days earlier. Midfielder Owen Garvan is in the squad for both matches.

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