Very large and interesting thread from a forum in Ireland discussing player eligibility - appears from last page that they are following our situation with interest.
Suspect there is gold within the 344 pages of the thread for those that can spend the time perusing.
http://foot.ie/threads/147164-Eligibility-Rules-Ok...
Reading the latter comments appears that FIFA grant player exemptions as a matter of course when asked in legitimate cases.
This page details interpretations and Australia's attempt to have wording of Article 7 amended in 2013 ...