Sir, Over the past two years the shallowness of the pool of players available for selection for the Republic of Ireland who were good enough for international football has been obvious. Jack Charlton may have played too many defenders but often the options were very limited. The FAI should place the interests of its own international team first. Supporting the pathetic attempt of UEFA to continue the three foreigners rule in European competitions was a stupid own goal by the FAI. At council meetings of the FAI, I had called on the officers to take UEFA to the European Court to abolish the restraint of trade implicit in the three foreigners rule. My plea was ignored. Subsequently English club managers pressurised players not to declare for Ireland to keep the clubs' options open in European competition.
To give a new manager some chance of success, the FAI should stand opposed to the official line from UEFA so that the issues surrounding the Bosman ruling are widely applied. Padraig Flynn's attitude must be applauded and supported by the FAI. This issue is too important to the country to be let slide by default. Yours. etc., Glasnevin Avenue, Dublin 11.