By David Gold
March 14 – The Football Association have confirmed that players will only be selected for the London 2012 Olympics in addition to next year’s European Championships, to be held in Ukraine and Poland, with the explicit permission of their clubs.
For men’s Olympic football competitions, countries must select a squad made up of players under the age of 23, but are allowed to select up to three players above the age limit.
Arsenal are one side who have already expressed concern over the possible selection of midfielder Jack Wilshere for both tournaments, but FA general secretary Alex Horne has said that they would be sensitive to such sentiments.
“We would have a conversation with Arsene and Jack to see if it was feasible,” he said.
“It means the player will get no summer holiday, depending on how long we are in Poland and Ukraine for.
“It’s tough, it’s how Arsenal feel about it as they are the employer and as an athlete you have got to take a rest.”
Horne also said that the idea was for a manager to select a squad in May 2012, but that players should not be taken to the Olympics if they participate in Ukraine and Poland due to there being only four weeks between the tournaments.
Selection for the European Championships would also take place in May.
Horne also met with the Scottish, Northern Irish and Welsh FAs last week to discuss the squad selection for the 2012 Olympics as the trio continue to insist that they do not want to contribute players towards the team for fear of risking their football independence from the United Kingdom.
The FA say that they cannot accede to demands to make the Olympic team English only, as this would be discriminatory.
“It’s a bit of stalemate,” said Horne.
“What was helpful for me was to understand the depth of feeling.
“I had heard it from [British Olympic Association chief executive] Andy Hunt before and now I’ve heard it from the three other Home associations.
“I think there is a way through this but it’s difficult, we have to have a team to participate in the Olympics.
“I could get comfortable with the notion that it was an English-only team but I completely understand why the BOA are uncomfortable with that.
“I also have sympathy for the position of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales saying they don’t want their players to play for an English team.”
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