The FAI have refuted claims from the North that midfielder Darron Gibson is ineligible to play for Ireland after his inclusion in Steve Staunton's squad for next Wednesday's European Championship qualifier with San Marino.

Derry-born Gibson has been involved at underage and B level before being promoted to the senior set-up by Staunton on Tuesday.

After that became public knowledge, IFA chief executive Howard Wells said the North would attempt to block the call-up as they are currently taking up Gibson's case with FIFA.

Wells argues that northern-born players should not be allowed to represent Ireland.

"We have presented the case to both FIFA and UEFA and are waiting for their decision," said Wells.

"We were told to produce case studies and Darron Gibson is one of those case studies. It is not about passports, it's about eligibility and we have asked FIFA and UEFA to apply their rules. We have told the FAI about this and we will see what happens."

However, the FAI have dismissed Wells' assertions, pointing out that they have received correspondence from FIFA which backs up Gibson's status as a prospective full Republic of Ireland international.

"The FAI only selects players who are eligible and wish to play for the Republic of Ireland. This is in line with FIFA's position as outlined in October last year," said an FAI spokesman.

That FIFA position came in the form of a letter which was sent to both associations and stated that: "The existing situation in Northern Ireland allows players to choose whether they wish to represent the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland."

Under the terms of the Good Friday agreement, persons born in Northern Ireland are entitled to both Irish and UK citizenship and can hold both passports.

Yet the IFA have been aggrieved at losing players to Ireland with Belfast-born duo Michael O'Connor and Tony Kane being called up to Don Givens' U21s last year when they had been involved with the North at younger levels.

The FAI are unperturbed by the North's protestations and confirmed that the player will be traveling to Rimini with the Irish squad.