GB not united for football team to play in Olympics

Jonathan Prynn, Consumer Business Editor
29 May 2009

A British football team looks set to play at the London Olympics for the first time in 40 years.

However, it is likely to be made up of only English players after the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish football associations said they would not participate. Instead they have agreed to drop their opposition to England going it alone, clearing one of the last major hurdles to a British team — at least in name — appearing at the 2012 Games.

The last time Britain was represented in the Olympic football tournament was at the 1972 Games in Munich. The long-running wrangles over fielding a British squad for the London Olympics has been a hot political issue as the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish football associations fear it could threaten their independence.

A joint letter from the four associations was sent to Fifa this morning saying Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland would have no involvement in the Olympic tournament but would not prevent an England team from doing so. The deal will have to be ratified by Fifa before it is officially confirmed.

Scottish FA spokesman Rob Shorthouse said: “The fundamental point to make is the Scottish FA will not be changing its stance on Team GB.

“We're absolutely against the four nations playing in a unified team, so Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland's stance hasn't changed.”

The SFA was furious last week with FA chairman Lord Triesman, accusing him of breaking an agreement for the issue to remain confidential until a deal was signed. The SFA feels there has been a need to change their stance to help sort out the issue of a British football team for 2012 once and for all.

It is understood that just saying “no” all the time could do more harm than good to the individual football associations.

Mr Shorthouse said: “It's Team GB only in name because Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will not be involved.”