War breaks out over 2012 football team
OLYMPIC chiefs sparked a furious row last night by announcing that a deal had been reached paving the way for players from all four home nations to represent Team GB in the London 2012 football tournament.
Scottish, Welsh and Irish football associations swiftly responded by collectively rubbishing the notion, with one official saying he was “astounded” at the British Olympic Association’s (BOA) statement.
They added that they would continue to oppose a unified team, saying: “We have stressed this in communications to them and are disappointed that this has been ignored in the media release.”
It is the latest and most high-profile spat in a long-running row over whether the likes of Wales and Tottenham winger Gareth Bale (right) will play alongside the best English, Scottish and Northern Irish footballers at next summer’s Games.
The spat also means England’s Football Association (FA) is still the only body in agreement with the BOA, although that will not stop both parties pressing ahead with plans.
The BOA appeared to have brought the remaining home nations on board when they released a statement entitled: “Historic agreement reached to enable Team GB to return to the Olympic football pitch”.
It explained the FA will effectively pick the 18 players who will make up the men’s team, and will do so from all four home nations. The FA will also identify the manager, who is likely to be appointed before next season.
But a response from the chief executives of the Scottish, Welsh and Irish FAs hit back by insisting they did not “support nor formally endorse” the plans. They added: “No discussions took place with any of us, far less historic agreement been reached.”
George Peat, president of the Scottish FA, said: “I am absolutely astounded that they have put out this statement. I know nothing of any agreement and we want nothing to do with this tournament.”
England’s fellow home nations oppose forming a unified British team for the first time since 1960 because they fear it may harm their FAs’ independent statuses with world chiefs.
They do not have power to block the likes of Bale from competing, but inclusion will be at the players’ discretion, meaning they could come under pressure to withdraw.