Footballers could skip Olympics, admits Sebastian Coe

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There had been hopes that the London 2012 tournament would see the likes of Wayne Rooney taking part but the European Clubs Association (ECA) - which includes Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea - insist their players must not be forced to compete in more than one major competition per season.

Coe said: "I'm sure the clubs will have a say on that, and the domestic federations, and clearly it may not be possible for players to play in both tournaments. I think that's very much an issue for football."

Manchester United chief executive David Gill, an ECA board member, said yesterday that the Premier League would support the Olympic tournament if a reasonable approach was taking to the release of players.

"A player who is in the squad for Euro 2012 should not then be in the Olympic squad," Gill said.

"Football is a key part of the Olympics and we are very happy to participate as a league and release players and we support it, but I hope that common sense will prevail."

The Olympic men's football tournament is an Under-23 competition, although three over-age players are allowed per squad, and Coe believes it should be used as a platform for young talent.

He added: "If you remember what the Olympic football tournament is about, I sat in the tournament final in 2004 in Athens and I watched young players like Messi making effectively their international debut. Years later they're playing in a World Cup.

"So actually an Olympic football tournament, when it's used as it is in a lot of countries, is a way of seasoning young players to future tournament football.

"It's a great springboard and a number of young players have understood the nature of the international game through Olympic competition and gone on to play in World Cup finals. We will create and deliver a great Olympic football tournament."