Cork promise to fight case of ineligible pair

Cork City do not intend appealing the Fifa decision that rules Colin Healy and Gareth Farrelly ineligible until the summer, but club chairman Brian Lennox is determined to fight the issue through other channels.

The two former Republic of Ireland internationals are prevented from playing until July 1st as they have already played for two other clubs this season. Farrelly joined Cork from Blackpool, where he had signed a short-term deal after leaving Bohemians in August. Healy played for Barnsley and Bradford before returning to his home town.

Any appeal would be based on grounds already considered. So, with no new evidence to bring to the table, the club sees little point in dragging out a process that could run until July.

The specifics of the players' contracts are unknown and while it is still unclear if Cork will pay their wages for the next three months, there has been no indication to the contrary. Lennox said aspects of the case are yet to be discussed with solicitors.

"In all good faith we signed them and they did likewise," he said from abroad. "Two gentlemen with families have been denied a right to a living. It's ridiculous. It's not their fault. We could take this to ministers and politicians. We'll fight it."

But whether that fight will alter Fifa's reasoning remains in doubt.

Healy and Farrelly are affected by article 5.3 of Fifa's Regulations for the Status and Transfer of Players, which stipulates a footballer cannot play competitively for more than two clubs between July 1st and June 30th.

Seven other league players were affected by the ruling but had their cases resolved recently as their transfers were confined to Ireland, not international.

While Fifa judge Slim Aloubu deliberated, those seven missed their clubs' opening league games but were paid wages regardless

"Neither player is a member of our union so I've had no dealings with them or their representatives as of yet," acting PFAI chief Stephen McGuinness said. "But, the way I see it, they should be treated like injured players and still get paid."

Javier Mascherano's recent switch from West Ham to Liverpool was sanctioned by Fifa even though the Argentine had played for the Brazilian side Corinthians and Fifa acknowledged the South American season overlapped the Premiership season.

This has angered the Cork City manager, Damien Richardson.

"Is it the fact that unless you're one of the big . . . people, you're not important?" he asked. "The morality and legality of the situation needs looking at.

"I don't think there's a country in the world that can deny a man his right to a living . . . It's a basic human right."