Free the FIFA Two



Free the FIFA Two

Colin Healy: walked under a ladder six years ago

The Problem
On Monday 2nd April 2007, FIFA informed Cork City FC that they would not allow two players, Irish internationals Colin Healy and Gareth Farrelly, to play for the club. FIFA has ruled that they have played for two clubs already in the last year, and so have decreed that neither player can play until next July. CCFC has signed contracts with these two players, so the choice is either to keep paying them even though they cannot play, or cancel the contracts. Option one is costly and frustrating, option two is not a result that club, players nor fans want to see occur.

The Players
Both Colin Healy and Gareth Farrelly have represented the Republic of Ireland at senior international level.

Gareth Farrelly has played at the highest level in England, in the Premiership, with Aston Villa, Everton and Bolton. Farrelly joined Bohemians FC in late August 2004 as player-manager, he left that position 30th August 2006. He subsequently joined English side Blackpool on a short-term contract, which expired in February 2007.

Colin Healy has played with Glasgow Celtic and Sunderland, where he had the extreme misfortune to twice break his leg. On 10th August 2006 Healy signed a one year contract with Barnsley. After making 10 appearances for Barnsley, he had his contract cancelled by mutual consent. During this period he also played on loan with Bradford City.

Former Everton star Gareth Farrelly

The Rule
According to the FIFA Regulations for the Status and Transfer of Players, Chapter III: Registration of Players, Article 5.3 states

"Players may be registered for a maximum of three clubs during the period from 1 July until 30 June of the following year. During this period, the player is only eligible to play in Official Matches for two clubs."

So no player can play for 3 different clubs in a season, the season being the period from the start of July of one year to the end June of the next year. What FIFA appear to have ignored in this case is that the Eircom League season does not follow this timeline; its season runs from March to November of the calendar year. So what's wrong with this, you might ask? Don't football clubs have to follow the rules of their governing organisation? Well, yes and no'

 
 
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