Good article in the Irish Mail On Sunday regarding the above.
Looks like the Irish are worried they won't be able to get as many kids over to England, after Brexit, which will impact on their future development.
These are the rules that caught out Barcelona and led to them being banned from signing players for 2015.
Rule 2(A) looks like the way around it within the EU. Get a parent a job first then sign the son later.
Irelands concern is Rule 2(B). The transfer must be within the EU or EEA. With England outside that the Irish kids couldn't come over.
Liam Brady says whilst he was at Arsenal they signed Irish, Italian and Spanish lads. All this could end.
The Rules.

They'll make some rule excluding football from any new brexit laws.

You're talking about a sport that worries more about footballing debts being paid before the taxman.

It only affects 16 and 17 year olds. Surely Irish football isn't so hopeless that 16 and 17 year olds would be unable to develop at home? Even if the rule isn''t relaxed or changed?

Incidentally, the rule as written there would also apply to Scots and Welsh 16 and 17 year olds wanting to move to England. I'm sure that wouldn't stand up in any court, so the rule will surely have to be changed.

dsr wrote:It only affects 16 and 17 year olds. Surely Irish football isn't so hopeless that 16 and 17 year olds would be unable to develop at home? Even if the rule isn''t relaxed or changed?

Incidentally, the rule as written there would also apply to Scots and Welsh 16 and 17 year olds wanting to move to England. I'm sure that wouldn't stand up in any court, so the rule will surely have to be changed.

It's not that it's hopeless. The population as a whole is 4.7m but 1.2m of them are in Dublin. In the counties GAA rules the roost so good footballers are struggling for good opposition and coaching. They wouldn't come over unless they have talent but without coming over there is nowhere to nurture that talent.

Clubs could set up their own bases there perhaps?

CharlieinNewMexico wrote:Clubs could set up their own bases there perhaps?

An Irish version of the Lilleshall School of Excellence wouldn't be a bad idea.
Bring all the best together and have guest coaches brought in to improve them.
It ensures a good education as a bonus but ability over physique should be the marker.