Collins denied international clearance
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Dundalk have confirmed that the Irish Football Association (IFA) have refused to issue an International Transfer Certificate to Michael Collins to enable him to play for the club.
The matter was referred to FIFA last month. However, FIFA did not make an official ruling on this case and sent general procedural information to the IFA.
Dundalk said that they will be holding further meetings with their legal advisors over the issue. The Lillywhites also say that they will be seeking compensation for all wages paid to the player.
Dundalk claim that Collins "through no fault of our own has been prevented from playing for our club".
Collins will now return to Newry City, where he spent last season. Dundalk said in a statement on the club's official website: "Everybody at Dundalk FC is hugely disappointed that Michael is unable to play for the club. He is seen as an integral part of the team for the 2009 Premier League campaign and his absence is having a detrimental effect on the team’s chances for success."
Dundalk manager Sean Connor added; “This is a hugely disappointing development. When Michael was signed I said he was my most important signing. We have missed him in our opening matches and I believe that if he had been on the pitch we would certainly have more points on the board. This issue has put us at a competitive disadvantage through no fault of our own. We are not even in a position to sign a replacement for Michael. They have put a professional footballer out of work. I feel very sorry that Michael is in this situation. Speaking as someone from Belfast who acheived all of UEFA coaching badges through the IFA I am extremely disappointed with their attitude and lack of action in this matter. It is up to me to ensure that, come the 1st of July, Michael becomes a Dundalk player. I believe that he is going to be an integral part of this football club over the next three or four years."
Dundalk chief executive Gerry Matthews said: “The FAI have been very helpful in their efforts to get this situation resolved. This whole issue is very difficult to understand. We signed other players from outside this jurisdiction and had absolutely no problems. We will be handing the matter over to our legal representatives from this point onwards.”
The matter was referred to FIFA last month. However, FIFA did not make an official ruling on this case and sent general procedural information to the IFA.
Dundalk said that they will be holding further meetings with their legal advisors over the issue. The Lillywhites also say that they will be seeking compensation for all wages paid to the player.
Dundalk claim that Collins "through no fault of our own has been prevented from playing for our club".
Collins will now return to Newry City, where he spent last season. Dundalk said in a statement on the club's official website: "Everybody at Dundalk FC is hugely disappointed that Michael is unable to play for the club. He is seen as an integral part of the team for the 2009 Premier League campaign and his absence is having a detrimental effect on the team’s chances for success."
Dundalk manager Sean Connor added; “This is a hugely disappointing development. When Michael was signed I said he was my most important signing. We have missed him in our opening matches and I believe that if he had been on the pitch we would certainly have more points on the board. This issue has put us at a competitive disadvantage through no fault of our own. We are not even in a position to sign a replacement for Michael. They have put a professional footballer out of work. I feel very sorry that Michael is in this situation. Speaking as someone from Belfast who acheived all of UEFA coaching badges through the IFA I am extremely disappointed with their attitude and lack of action in this matter. It is up to me to ensure that, come the 1st of July, Michael becomes a Dundalk player. I believe that he is going to be an integral part of this football club over the next three or four years."
Dundalk chief executive Gerry Matthews said: “The FAI have been very helpful in their efforts to get this situation resolved. This whole issue is very difficult to understand. We signed other players from outside this jurisdiction and had absolutely no problems. We will be handing the matter over to our legal representatives from this point onwards.”
