Brian McLean's international career with N Ireland is over

The Irish Football Association had asked the world governing body to reconsider an earlier ruling.

Fifa has ruled that Scottish-born McLean is ineligible because the IFA did not seek permission in writing to play him before his 21st birthday.

Northern Ireland officials needed to get the permission because McLean had played for the Scottish Under-17 side.

IFA chief executive Howard Wells said they would have contacted Fifa in writing if they had known that was required.

McLean earned his only full Northern Ireland cap as a second half substitute in the 1-0 home win over Estonia in March 2006.

But he had to be withdrawn from a recent Under-21 match after Fifa's ruling that he was ineligible.