FIFA Two

The FIFA Two refers to Colin Healy and Gareth Farrelly, two Irish international football players who were prevented from playing for Cork City as they had already played for two other clubs in the 2006-07 period.[1][2][3] A number of sources noted the conflict between the FIFA ruling, barring the players from playing, and the European Union's regulations which forbid restrictions on a citizen's right to work.[4] After lobbying from Ireland's football governing body, the Football Association of Ireland, FIFA subsequently changed its transfer regulations in January 2008.[5][6]

Background

In April 2007, FIFA informed Cork City that they would not allow two players, Irish internationals Colin Healy and Gareth Farrelly, to play for the club.[7] FIFA had ruled that, as the players had already played for two other clubs in the previous 12 months,[8] neither player could play until the "summer transfer window" in July 2007.[9]

In the related FIFA regulation, the Regulations for the Status and Transfer of Players, Chapter III: Registration of Players, Article 5.3, it stated that:[10]

“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.

As of June 2007, the 'FIFA Two' reportedly had to "wait a little longer before making their debuts for the club",[11] ultimately debuting with the club in July 2007.[12][13]

While the Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld the initial FIFA ruling,[10] FIFA ultimately changed its transfer regulations in January 2008.[5] In addressing the issue, FIFA added the following language to Article 5.3:

As an exception to this rule, a player moving between two clubs belonging to associations with overlapping seasons (i.e. start of the season in summer/autumn as opposed to winter/spring) may be eligible to play in official matches for a third club during the relevant season, provided he has fully complied with his contractual obligations towards his previous clubs. Equally, the provisions relating to the registration periods (article 6) as well as to the minimum length of a contract (article 18 paragraph 2) must be respected.

The Finnish Football Association, an association that also has its season within a calendar year, similar Ireland, permits any player who signs for a Finnish club, and in the same situation as Colin Healy or Gareth Farrelly, to play in official matches in Finland. According to a 2007 ESPN article, this amounted to a decision by the Finnish FA to "ignore FIFA's rule".[4]

A number of sources compared the situation, with Healy and Farrelly, to the case of Javier Mascherano, an Argentine international who joined Liverpool after playing with West Ham within the same year.[14][15]

Several players with other League of Ireland sides were also impacted by Article 5.3, but were subsequently cleared to play. One of these players was Shaun Holmes who, after an appeal, was given leave to play for Finn Harps in 2007.[16]

References
  1. "Explained: The FA rule that prevents Ben Amos and Rhys Healey from leaving Cardiff City this month". walesonline.co.uk. 23 January 2017. Retrieved 11 July 2023. The law derives from the 'FIFA Two' which came into use in 2008. That was after Irish duo Colin Healy and Gareth Farrelly were prevented to playing for Cork City as they'd play for two other clubs in the 2006-07 season. FIFA changed its transfer regulations in January 2008
  2. "RTÉ Sport: Farrelly and Healy fail in court appeal". Rte.ie. 2007-06-12. Retrieved 2009-08-19.
  3. "RTÉ Sport: Cork duo fail to get FIFA clearance". Rte.ie. 2007-04-03. Retrieved 2009-08-19.
  4. Johnson, Dale (2007-04-04). "Cork case could force action on transfer rules - Europe - ESPN Soccernet". Soccernet.espn.go.com. Archived from the original on 6 November 2012. Retrieved 2009-08-19.
  5. "RTÉ Sport: FAI welcome 'three club rule' changes". Rte.ie. 2008-01-09. Archived from the original on 2008-05-18. Retrieved 2009-08-19.
  6. "FAI boost as three-club rule altered for league - Soccer, Sport". Independent.ie. 2008-01-10. Retrieved 2009-08-19.
  7. "Gareth Farrelly: 'As I get older, my football life appears to be far removed — I don't really think about it'". The Times (UK). 15 July 2021. Retrieved 11 July 2023. In 2007, the former Republic of Ireland player and his team-mate, Colin Healy, made up the "Fifa Two"
  8. "Cork City's plans foiled by FIFA". rte.ie. 2007. Archived from the original on 18 February 2013.
  9. "Dominated by life and debt". Irish Independent. 11 November 2007. Retrieved 11 July 2023. FIFA refused to sanction the moves of Colin Healy and Gareth Farrelly to Leeside until the summer transfer window. City dipped as low as sixth in the table before the 'FIFA Two' made their mark and brought the club back into contention
  10. "Arbitration CAS 2007/A/1272 Cork City FC v. FIFA (Healy), award of 15 October 2007" (PDF). Court of Arbitration for Sport. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
  11. "City ready for Icelandic adventure". rte.ie. 22 June 2007. Retrieved 11 July 2023. The 'FIFA Two' of Gareth Farrelly and Colin Healy must wait a little longer before making their debuts for the club
  12. "'FIFA Two' set for City debut". Irish Examiner. 2 July 2007. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
  13. "Byrne provides a bit extra for Bohs". Irish Times. 4 July 2007. Retrieved 11 July 2023. Cork at last welcomed the arrival of the "FIFA Two" Colin Healy and Gareth Farrelly
  14. "City make further appeal for Farrelly and Healy". Irish Examiner. 18 April 2007. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
  15. "Back on his feet". Irish Independent. 26 November 2007. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
  16. "BBC SPORT | Football | Irish | Hynes cleared to play for Derry". BBC News. 2007-04-05. Retrieved 2009-08-19. Seven other Eircom League players have been granted exemptions by Fifa but Cork City pair Colin Healy and Gareth Farrelly have lost their appeals. Those who made successful appeals included former Glentoran and Derry City player Shaun Holmes who is now free to play for Finn Harps
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