Declan Rice has been crowned Republic of Ireland's Young Player of the Year despite switching international allegiance to England.
The FAI confirmed Rice, 20, had been voted the winner by members of the SSE Airtricity Soccer Writers' Association on Tuesday afternoon and will be presented with the award at the 29th '3' FAI International Awards on Sunday, March 17.
Rice, who was born in London with Irish grandparents, only completed his international switch from Republic of Ireland to England last week after FIFA granted his request to transfer his registration.
The West Ham midfielder represented Ireland at youth level and earned three senior caps, featuring against Turkey, France and USA in friendlies last year, before opting to play for England in February.
The FAI on Tuesday defended the decision to name Rice as Young Player of the Year, citing that he was an Irish international at the time of the vote, and that they simply 'maintained the integrity of the voting process.'
In a statement, the FAI said: 'At the time of the vote, Declan Rice was an Ireland international and qualified for the Young Player category in a year that saw him win three senior caps, all in '3' International Friendly games.
'Declan Rice has since opted to switch his allegiance to England. The FAI has completed his international transfer via the FIFA protocols and wishes him well in the future.
'This award maintains the integrity of the voting process in conjunction with the Soccer Writers' Association of Ireland and the FAI thanks the jury members for their decisions relating to the awards.
'Declan Rice will not be in Dublin for the '3' FAI International Awards ceremony.'
Rice has also been an integral part of Manuel Pellegrini's squad this season with the West Ham boss insisting on numerous occasions that he is ready to play for England.
It is understood Gareth Southgate is considering naming Rice in his squad on Wednesday for England's upcoming Euro qualifiers against Czech Republic and Montenegro.
Jamesparker
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Embarrassing, he made his choice and chose Ireland and played for them there is no way you should be able to change allegiance once you have played for your country. Ridiculous decision allowing this to happen.
outdoora
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Ya I'm expecting a slagging over this. It is embarrassing.
Yahoobaby
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Imagine when he goes and collect his trophy hahahhahahaha that will be interesting.
Omaha
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This was picked by the journalists. Well before the turn coat ducked off.
Beatztapes
0
Just another example of how backward irish soccer is
ssuolow
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He can put his award in West ham's empty cabinet .
mcdonalder
1
It'll be the only thing he wins in international football + he should come & say goodbye to his teammates.
Jeremye
0
Only us Irish could do something so stupid!! Oh wait.....I forgot brexit!
Harden1313
1
I swear the FAI are a joke organisation
boxingei
1
Don't worry we even consider our FAI a joke.
Shrivastava
1
James McClean will be going nuts. Lol
LoveFCB
1
Jack Grealish will win it next year and hopefully they could be able to trace Kante's Irish roots
unhappy
1
This is embarrassing. Come on