FIFA give greenlight for a British football team in 2012

[Barry Scott]

Fifa insists a Great Britain team has to play at the 2012 Olympics but, in doing so, has said each home nation's individual status will not be affected.

England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales would join forces for a GB team.

 

"We have confirmed in writing that they have to provide a Great Britain team for the 2012 Olympics," said Fifa president Sepp Blatter.

 

"But the four British associations will not lose the rights and privileges acquired back in 1947.

 

"They will play with one team but it is up to them how they do it."

 

Blatter added: "It can be a mixed team, it can be from just one of the home nations, whatever they want to do."

 

The idea of a Great Britain team has met with some opposition from the Scottish Football Association and they have given a lukewarm response to Blatter's latest move.

 

An SFA spokesman said: "FIFA have said before that this is a matter for the British associations to decide.

 

"We are not currently party to any discussions on this and we have made our views entirely clear about an Olympic team.

 

"So the position has not changed as far as we are concerned."

 

Credit: BBC

 

should be interesting, no?

[Martin]

The SFA have not got anything to worry about - it is not as if they will have produced any half decent footballers to make the side,

[Matt]

I'd like to see this... provided it's solely for the Olympics of course.

 

Will be interesting to see if the selection committee for the GB team will agree, nearer the time, to minimum numbers of players from England, Scotland, Wales and N.Ire, e.g at least one from each. Can only see two or three Scots, one or two Welsh, and one (if lucky) Northern Irishman making the squad, provided of course Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are still as cack in 2012 as they are now.

[Burnham Lad]

It is intriguing what level this could be pitched at - Full internationals, Non-league representational squad or the World Student Games side, as per the pitch made by their manager in the Non League paper, the other week.

[cantos]

Am i right in thinking that the maximum age for footballers is 25,if so weare looking at players currently 18 years and less.No Rooney in the team.

[Matt]

I think in previous Olympics only 3 of the players can be 'overage', whatever that age limit is.... something like that anyway. In other words the team will largely be made up of players we haven't heard of yet.

[Rob_Butler]

From my understanding i see it like this....

 

Maximun age 23

3 overaged players

No player is to have played in the world cup

[Yozza Hughes]

Gizza Job

[EUFC superb]

Quote:

FF! said:
From my understanding i see it like this....

Maximun age 23
3 overaged players
No player is to have played in the world cup

How does that bottom one work then <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />. I thought Gabrielle Heinze played in the world cup then played in the olympics?

[Rob_Butler]

You sure?

[Matt]

Quote:

MattSTFC said:
Can only see two or three Scots, one or two Welsh, and one (if lucky) Northern Irishman making the squad, provided of course Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are still as cack in 2012 as they are now.

Looking back at this post, that's quite ironic!

[Jeff]

I reckon the odds on a Northern Ireland Scotland double last night would have been cracking.