Manx National Team Reach ConIFA World Football Cup Final

The Celtic nation of Ellan Vannin (Isle of Man) which is also known as Mannin has reached the final of the ConIFA World Football Cup in the Sápmi region of Sweden. Their place in the final came after securing a 4-1 victory over Arameans Suryoye in the semi-final.  The ConIFA (Confederation of Independent Football Associations) 2014 World Cup sees states that are unaffiliated with FIFA, stateless people and minorities competing. ConIFA is their umbrella association. Sápmi, hosts of this years competition, is the name of the cultural region that is traditional home to the Sami people (sometimes called Lapps or Laplanders). It is a region that stretches across the northern parts of four countries: Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia.

The Ellan Vannin team was formed by the Manx International Football Alliance (MIFA). The Manx team is made up of selected players from Isle of Man Leagues, the qualifying criteria being that the players are either born in the Isle of Man or have Manx grandparent rights. Included in the aims and objectives is to promote the Heritage and Culture of the Isle of Man through football.  Also to form close links with other Nations and People around the World and offer support and assistance whenever it is feasible for those who are less fortunate. Living up to the objective MIFA offered support to the Darfur International Football Team.

Darfur has been in a state of humanitarian emergency for over ten years, due to the war between its indigenous population and forces of the Sudanese government. The Darfur Team has been created despite years of genocide, death and destruction and is located in the Refugee Camps on the Sudan/Chad Border. The Manx International Football Alliance aimed to sponsor 100 children to join the Refugee Soccer Academies. Send football kits to the Refugee Camps. Send three players/coaches from the Isle of Man to the Refugee Camps to carry out a training week. Raise £15,000 to assist in their travelling costs to the World Football Cup in Sweden. It was with great pride to the Manx then that Darfur was able to compete in this year’s ConIFA World Cup. When there is so much disquiet about corruption in world sport let’s not forget that it can also be used for good, to form international relationships and offer opportunity.

So on to this year’s final which takes place on Sunday 8th June 2014. At the start of this year’s tournament Ellan Vannin were 250/1 outsiders to win the competition. So it is a great achievement for them to face Countea de Nissa in the final. Here are the results so far and the scheduled remaining matches.