Portsmouth boss' clear verdict on Blackburn Rovers and Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill's 'conflict of interest'
The Pompey boss has had his say on reports ‘one or two’ Championship clubs have contacted the EFL over a conflict of interest involving Blackburn Rovers and Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill.
John Mousinho believes there is a definite ‘conflict of interest’ involving Blackburn Rovers and Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill.
However, the Pompey boss admitted the Ewood manager is ‘well within his rights to do whatever he wants’.
A report by BBC Oxford this afternoon claimed ‘one or more’ Championship clubs have contacted the EFL in regards to the 56-year-old’s dual agreement with the international team and the Blues’ relegation rivals.
The Beeb state Oxford United are ‘uncomfortable’ over the situation involving the ex-Stoke City boss, although the U’s have declined to comment.
The issue relates to four members of Matt Bloomfield’s squad potentially being utilised during Northern Ireland’s friendly against Wales tonight - just days before their huge contest against Hull City later this week.
Oxford United concerns over conflict of interest
Oxford’s Brodie Spencer, Jamie McDonnell, Ciaron Brown and Jamie Donley are all part of the current Northern Ireland squad, alongside Pompey’s Terry Devlin and West Brom midfielder Isaac Price. All of whom are expected to feature in their clubs’ respective Good Friday fixtures.
Following the Green And White Army’s loss to Italy last Thursday, four members of O’Neill’s squad returned to their clubs, including Norwich City defender Ruairi McConville. No explanation was provided for the Canaries centre-back’s exit from the camp on Monday and it remains to be seen whether he will line-up against the Blues on Friday.
Meanwhile, Tom Atcheson remains the only Blackburn player to be a part of the Northern Ireland camp, but was an unused substitute against Italy last week.
Mousinho has this afternoon responded to those claims and is clear there is a ‘conflict of interest.’
Although the Blues boss will not question O’Neill’s integrity, the head coach has stressed it’s an ‘issue’ the Football League have allowed to happen.
John Mousinho’s verdict amid conflict of interest with Blackburn and Northern Ireland boss
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Mousinho said: ‘It’s a situation that isn’t anything I can answer. I don’t know what Michael O’Neill’s intentions are and I’m certainly not going to question his integrity.
‘I can try and delve into his mind and guess what he’s going to do but that’s probably an unfair thing to ask of me.
‘My overall feeling of the situation is the very fact that you’re asking the question means that there is an issue.
‘I don’t think it’s a Michael O’Neill issue, he’s obviously well within his rights to do whatever he wants.
‘I think it’s definitely an issue in terms of conflict of interest and the position that the league has allowed us to be put in.’
The EFL have confirmed they have been contacted by ‘one or two’ clubs but it is not an issue they will be able to deal with.
Blackburn currently sit four points clear of the relegation zone in 19th and are followed by West Brom (20th), Pompey (21st), Leicester City (22nd) and Oxford United, who sit 23rd.