Fifa go-ahead to British Olympic team

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Posted: Sunday 21st December 2008 | 0:15

WORLD governing body Fifa have formally given Great Britain the go-ahead to enter a football team at the 2012 Olympics.

Sepp Blatter, Fifa President
THUMBS UP: Sepp Blatter announces Fifa will allow a British team at the 2012 Olympics during a press conference in Toyko today (Getty Images)

As hosts, Britain's men's and women's teams automatically qualify for the tournament but debate remains about the precedent it might set.

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have all expressed concerns that a British team at the Olympics might be the start of a road that will lead to a British team at the World Cup.

However, a meeting of Fifa's executive committee, during the Club World Cup in Japan, confirmed the unique status enjoyed by the home unions would not be threatened.

"The executive committee confirmed that the participation in the 2012 London Olympic Games of a single team representing Great Britain would not affect the existing individual status of the four British football associations,” said Fifa president Sepp Blatter.

"We have no problem with that because four British associations are identified in Fifa statutes as being four different entities.

"And, now for the Olympic Games, they have to play in one entity. The ball is now in their turf.

"We expect a solution that will be presented to us for the month of March."

But despite the high-powered assurances, it remains highly unlikely that the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish FA will agree to a joint team.

They claim the decision of the executive committee could easily be reversed in the future and does not give the assurances they require to preserve their unique position in the world game.

The English FA continue to support a British team, leading to the likelihood any squad would only be made up of their players.

"We have no problem with that because four British associations are identified in Fifa statutes as being four different entities. And, now for the Olympic Games, they have to play in one entity. The ball is now in their turf."

Fifa president Sepp Blatter

It's been 48 years since Britain last entered a football team at the Olympics - when the event was still restricted to amateur players.

Now the men's tournament is for under-23's - plus three ‘over-age' players - while the women's event is open to all ages.

British Olympic Association officials have held a series of meetings with the English FA in recent months but colleagues from other British associations have refused to attend, despite invitations.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has publicly backed a British team - and has even admitted speaking with Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson about becoming its head coach.

Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy is another supporter - although former Scotland manager Craig Brown launched a petition this week calling on players north of the border to boycott any British team.

"My priority has always been to ensure the future of Scotland's national team is not affected if there was to be a one-off under-23 tournament at the Olympics," said Murphy.

"I would like to see young Scots going for gold at the Olympics.

"This announcement means that Scotland can have the best of both worlds with our own national team safe and protected - and the best of our young players playing in a one-off under-23 Olympic tournament which will see games played at Hampden."

Football events at the 2012 Olympics will be staged in Glasgow, Cardiff, Birmingham and Manchester, with finals games being played at Wembley Stadium.

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