Jim Boyce: ‘I’ve known Infantino for years. He should have told Trump to keep out of football’

Where do you come in your family’s birth order and has it defined you?

I have one younger sister, Linda, but what I really remember in my family was when I was young, my mum and dad said something to me that I will never forget, and that was to try to treat people the way that you would like to be treated. That’s what I try to do ...I think that’s very, very important. I have never had any interest whatsoever in sectarianism, religion or politics, and I treat everybody [the same]. I have very good friends on both sides of the divide [in Northern Ireland]. That’s the way I’ve always been brought up, and hopefully that’s the way that I will continue to be.

What is your middle name and what do you think of it?

My middle name is Richard. My mum gave me that middle name after my uncle who was called Richard. I’m James officially, but I’m called Jim by everybody.

When did you last get angry?

[Fifa suspending Folarin Balogun’s red card following US president Donald Trump’s personal call to the association’s president, Gianni Infantino] made me very angry because Fifa have had many difficulties over the years, but the one thing they always try to pride themselves in is that there should not be any political interference in football. And yes, I was angry when I saw that the president of the United States of America ...rang the president of Fifa and a decision should never have been overturned. I believe that sport and politics shouldn’t mix and I always felt that. I think that Infantino, who I know and I have known for many, many years, I think he should have told President Trump to keep out of what was a football matter. That’s my own personal opinion.

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Throughout my career I’ve tried to bring people of both sides of this community together. I think that it’s very sad at times when people in high positions and people in high political positions [are not careful with their words]. I remember once a minister in a sermon saying it’s an awful pity that people wouldn’t exercise their brains before they open their mouths. That will stick with me to the day I die. I think that people who are in positions of power, they should think very, very carefully of how they portray themselves and how they portray themselves to the public, because quite honestly, I think some of them have caused a lot of problems that are existing in Northern Ireland.

I was in a bomb explosion on my second wedding anniversary, I was going into work, but it never changed me as a person. Never changed me in any shape or form as a person. I still don’t know to the day I die why that was done. But I believe the time has come where people should get together and they should be very careful of how they portray the image of the whole of Ireland, both North and South.

What have you lost that you would like to have back?

Unfortunately, my wife now is in advanced stages of Alzheimer’s. She is still at home and she’s been well looked after by carers and obviously by my family. We’ve been married for 57 years. We always enjoyed each other’s company. Thankfully, I still have her at home. But the thing that I miss most is not being able to get her out of the car and walk the dog or go down to Killarney or go on holiday together. That’s something that I don’t think I’m going to get back. It’s very traumatic. But what I would say is keeping her at home has made a big difference. She recognises me and recognises the grandchildren. From that point of view I have a lot to be thankful for. But the days of travelling [are gone] unfortunately because of the situation.

Where is your favourite place in Ireland?

Without a shadow of a doubt, Harvey’s Point in Donegal. My wife and I, when we were able to, would go up to Donegal quite often and we loved Harvey’s Point. My second favourite place would probably be Killarney, Co Kerry, but I’ve got to say Harvey’s Point would be my favourite.

What is your strongest childhood memory?

My strongest childhood memory was going to Blackpool [in England] when I was four years old with my mum and dad and [later] with my wife. I fell in love with Blackpool when I was young. My wife and I would have normally gone over for several years. At least once a year for a lot of games. So that would be my first childhood memory. When I was a child; the donkeys on the beach.

When do you think you were happiest?

Well, I’m happy now because of having my wife after 57 years of marriage, still at home. And while that continues, I will be at my happiest.

What do you think happens when we die?

I’m not a deeply religious person, I have to say that. I hope that if there’s a heaven, that I’ve done enough throughout my life to get there, if there is one. To be honest with you, I just don’t know the answer. I think we’ll pass away ... and that will be it.

Which actor would play you in a biopic about your life?

James [Jamie] Dornan. My sister was very, very friendly and I was also friendly with this fellow called Jim Dornan, who was the top gynaecologist here in Northern Ireland, I think, [maybe] throughout the world. And I met his son, the famous actor Jamie Dornan. So I suppose Jamie Dornan.

What is your biggest career/personal regret?

I had the great honour of being president of the Irish Football Association for 12 years, from 1995 until 2007 ... When I lost the presidency of the IFA, there was a split vote of 23, 23. And I decided then that it was time for me to step down as president of the IFA and I was made honorary life president. But having said that, I have had a wonderful career in football, both at Uefa and Fifa, so I’m very grateful for everything that has happened in my life.

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