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Pompey’s John Mousinho takes aim at EFL over Michael O’Neill ‘conflict of interest’ row

Pompey’s John Mousinho takes aim at the EFL over the ‘conflict of interest’ row involving Blackburn and Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill.

Earlier this week, as reported by BBC Radio Oxford, Oxford United raised concerns with the EFL, of the four players from the club that were in the Northern Ireland squad, Brodie Spencer came on for fellow club team-mate Ciaron Brown 64 minutes in, while goalscorer Jamie Donley was subbed off at the same time, and Jamie McDonnell didn’t feature.

The only Blackburn player to play for Northern Ireland was Tom Atcheson, playing for the final 10 minutes against Craig Bellamy’s side.

Of Oxford’s other relegation rivals, Isaac Price of West Brom played 45 minutes, Pompey’s Terry Devlin was taken off with 10 minutes left on the clock. Norwich’s Ruairi McConville, Preston’s Ali McCann and Hull’s Paddy McNair didn’t play.

As pointed out by @_ElliottJackson – EFL state that player selection falls with governing bodies (IFA) and FIFA. But they would expect all decisions to be made with integrity and a way that doesn’t bring the game into disrepute. Four Oxford players and one for WBA & Portsmouth in the NI squad.

He added: “FWIW | Feels mad to me that this is being seriously raised by another club. Totally understand fans talking about it but for a club to approach EFL about it feels extreme, in my opinion.”

O’Neill said, per BBC Sport, before the 1-1 draw with Wales: “I think 80% of my squad play in the EFL so I am aware of that situation.

“We’re mindful of the situation for the clubs, of course, but when the clubs signed these players they knew they were international players.

“We’re not going to be reckless with the players or anything like that. But we have to look after ourselves as a group of players, so the most important thing is that the players just go out and play the game.

“They will be fine. The lads who play in the EFL they play a lot of football and they are used to playing regular football. They have a lot of resilience so I’m sure they’ll get through the game fine.”

After the game, he said he “doesn’t have a relationship” with the managers at other clubs that needed to be ironed out, said he would “always try to protect the players”.

“If I’m honest, I’m a little bit disappointed,” O’Neill added, who said he would never want Northern Ireland’s players to “affect their club situation”.

“These clubs, they ask for references on players, they ask for character references, level of performance from us and our staff when they want to sign these players.

“They were international players when they signed them. Now suddenly it becomes a bit of an issue that they’re international players.”

Ahead of this weekend’s game, he said, per Lancashire Telegraph: “Well, look, that’s football, isn’t it? People have opinions. A lot of them are ill-informed, if I’m honest.

“The players that I pick for my international squad, from a limited pool of players, are consistently in my international squad. Some of the clubs think that it was a conflict of interest that I may play the players and risk them in the game against Wales.

“None of the players played 90 minutes. Some of them didn’t play in the first game, for example, in the international.

“So I just thought it was nonsense, to be honest. To be honest, the best thing for me to do is just ignore stuff like that because it’s not important.

“My focus is here now. I won’t have another international game until the end of May, start of June. So my focus is here and I tend not to really give too much airtime to that type of opinion.”

Now Portsmouth manager John Mousinho has had his say, via The News, Portsmouth: “The fact that we’re talking about it and the fact the question’s been asked means it’s a potential conflict of interest.

“It’s blatantly obvious to me, it’s a question which should never be asked of another head coach.

“I don’t think the media or I should be put in that situation, I don’t think Michael O’Neill should be put in a situation where his integrity is questioned.

“I know Michael well and he will make decisions for the best for Northern Ireland and Blackburn, but the fact the question’s asked suggests to me there’s a problem.

“It’s not even the fact that the players have been sent home, it’s the fact that it’s been allowed. Somebody has been put in that position where they are allowed to make those decisions. That’s the fundamental issue.

“I feel for Michael more than anyone, because it’s through no fault of his own.

“He was allowed to take the job and he’s not going to do any different, but maybe nobody scrutinised it enough at the time.

“There’s probably going to be a few people calling foul this weekend over potential selection decisions made, who was sent home and who wasn’t.

“We don’t know what’s going on, but the question being asked means it’s potentially problematic. I think Michael is a man of great integrity, but no one knows and no one will know.

“I think the team selection is the best thing Michael thinks he can do for Northern Ireland, I have no problem with that.

“But the fact it has a knock-on effect and the fact it has a consequence means that question should never be there.

“Players play international games we all know they play internationals, but we should never be looking at the situation everyone’s been put into.

“So it’s a question for the league. For clarity, I’m not questioning Michael’s integrity – he’s an excellent manager and great person – but the league have a lot to answer for on this one.”

Here’s how fans reacted as Pompey’s John Mousinho takes aim at the EFL over the Michael O’Neill ‘conflict of interest’ row…

@woodford_simon: Yet again these fans and managers never said anything when he was appointed. The Pompey boss never said anything when they got a point against us. In fact he said the only side that can beat them is themselves. Looks like they are looking for someone to blame for their failings

@brfcbee1875: The fact he’s talking about it means he is questioning O’Neills integrity. He might want to spend more time on his own club, 1 point from there last 6 matches. Who’s fault is that?

@mattieshaw97: Then raise it at the time of the appointment.

@JordanEVGuy: Clubs crying “conflict” because a few players played 60 minutes for their countries, young players as well, is embarrassing. Blackburn have been without their manager for nearly 2 weeks, and have had players of their own play 2 international games. Grown men crying is shameful.

@DaveAshton4: Didn’t hear many EFL clubs moaning before the Italy game. Curious that one. 🤔

@RussWalt81: Ignore the haters, Michael O’Neill. I say play Jamie Donley, Ciaron Brown, Brodie Spencer, Jamie McDonnell, Terry Devlin and Isaac Price for the full game tonight 👀 #Rovers 💙🤍🌹 #GAWA 💚🤍

@Tom32156Phil: Surely these players would be being picked anyway regardless of manager or clubs situation? Not like NI have a massive pool to pick from.

@Steve1817: He has released 3 players from the squad whose clubs all play Blackburn relegation rivals on Friday. Two of whom started versus Italy. No surprise questions are being asked and he hasn’t justified why

@Tom32156Phil: It’s standard practise pal when it’s only a friendly.

@JoshHarding123: Would they have cried this much if Ireland won on Thursday and had a final tonight? Don’t think so fuck off

@MichaelSingh25: Isn’t that the point, it’s a meaningless game, our bloody season is on the line!!! Shock sees your a Blackburn fan, would be the first raging if it happened to you

@MrABoyce: He should play them all for 90 minutes now just to spite the other clubs.

@carney9207: If they were tha concerned, should have raised it the moment he was appointed! That players haven’t just become Northern Irish! Or, complain to FIFA about the pointless games they’re having to play

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