KYLE LAFFERTY WILL miss Rangers’ Scottish Premiership game against Hamilton this weekend, after the Northern Ireland FA invoked a Fifa regulation following his absence from international duty.
The 31-year-old ruled himself out of Northern Ireland’s Uefa Nations League double-header against Austria and Bosnia & Herzegovina this week, breaching the Association’s call-up.
His decision to not join up with Michael O’Neill’s squad means he will now miss out on his club’s game at New Douglas Park on Sunday.
“The Irish FA has written to Rangers FC regarding Kyle Lafferty who was selected in the Northern Ireland squad for the Uefa Nations League matches against Austria and Bosnia & Herzegovina on 12 and 15 October 2018 respectively,” said a statement on Wednesday.
“As the player did not comply with the Association’s call up, the player is in breach and as a result, the Association is invoking the Fifa regulation (Fifa Regulations for the status and transfer of players, Annexe 1, Section 5).
The regulation states that:
“The player is not entitled to play for the club with which he is registered during the period for which he has been released or should have been released pursuant to the provisions of this annexe.
“This restriction on playing for the club shall, moreover, be prolonged by five days in the event that the player, for whatsoever reason, did not wish to or was unable to comply with the call-up.’
Lafferty was reportedly struggling with an Achilles problem, however it was expected that he would join up with the Northern Ireland squad last week for their two games.
O’Neill’s men tasted defeat in both of their Nations League outings, falling away to Austria 1-0 before a brace from AS Roma striker Edin Dzeko saw Bosnia run away 2-0 victors on Monday night.
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Hooper is somewhat of an anomaly in that he’s a world class 7 that’s basically never been injured for any notable length of time. Not even 29 and nearly a test centurion. Remarkable when you consider how brutal the game is physically these days.
Hopefully, someone will pick up the broadcast rights over here. The quality in the Top League has been “mixed” in recent years with some big name players on the downswing of their careers chasing a last big payday but there seems to be a real uptick in the quality of players & coaches heading there for next season, so it could make for interesting viewing.
@Del McG: yuuuuuuuppppaaaaa
Why, what is the point of playing in Japan. Its understandable in your mid 30s at the end of your career but in his prime why wouldn’t he move to England or France. Probably get the same money and will play a very competitive level of rugby, rather than just collect a pay check and play in a mickey mouse league
@s mc: you answered your own question there chief
@s mc: Big bucks, not as far from home, can basically stay match fit for a return to Super Rugby and the Wallabies when this passes. Will likely get a big contract in France for a couple of years when he calls it quits on his Wallaby career if he still wants to play at a high level.
@s mc: Even though he has had a break, in Japan he can earn the same money as he would in England and France, and its a lot easier on his body. Who wouldn’t take the easier money?
@Kingshu: I would rather look back on career and have won another meaningful tournament than protecting myself.
@s mc: It may beca longer career to look back on, by taking the Japan option
@s mc: Lad, it’s not that hard. He’s not retiring. He’ll be closer to 29 than 30 when this finishes. Consider it a gap year type arrangement. Still opportunities to win trophies but he’s filling the rugby career dead space with a bit of pick up ball that he gets paid really well for. He’ll do the 6 months, pocket a pay check and slot back in as a world class operator with 4-5 years at the top left in him when it’s done. It’s the smart decision for a guy who’s been playing elite back row rugby for 11 years already.
@s mc: yes