SFA chief Regan warns of supporter backlash against players joining Team GB

By David Gold

January 18 – The chief executive of the Scottish Football Association (SFA), Stewart Regan, has told players hoping to compete for Team GB at the London 2012 Olympics that they will face a backlash from fans.

Like its Welsh and Northern Irish counterparts, the SFA is opposed to the involvement of its players at London 2012, fearing it will compromise their football independence.

But players including Rangers’ Allan McGregor and Steven Naismith, and Celtic’s Scott Brown, could all line up for Team GB if selected by coach Stuart Pearce.

A number of players from all home nations have expressed their interest in participating, including Naismith and Wales duo Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey.

Speaking in Livingston, Regan warned: “It will be disappointing from a fan’s perspective because there is an element of supporters who are really hoping we don’t have players taking part and pulling on the Team GB shirt.

“They would have to deal with the backlash from fans because I’m sure there will be some element within the support who would want to protect Scotland’s independence.

“Players who live outside Scotland, who are probably not open to the press coverage and the feedback from the Tartan Army supporters’ clubs, maybe don’t feel the same degree of nationalistic support.

“Maybe they don’t see it as big a deal as those who are regularly playing with a Scottish team in a Scottish league.”

The Scottish FA chief did say though that they would not get in the way of any players hoping to play for Pearce.

“We are not going to say ‘you cannot play’ or ‘if you do, you’ll be dropped’,” Regan said.

“As far as policy is concerned, they wouldn’t be looked upon any differently from any other eligible player.

“You have to factor in the individual’s right and perspective for their own career.

“We said all along we were not going to interfere.”

Despite having been reassured by FIFA over their status, Regan remains concerned about the future of the home nations’ independence in the sport.

“At the moment, there are elements within FIFA who are challenging and have challenged the existence of the four nations.

“Equally, the power the four nations have with a British-based President and the voting we have on IFAB (International Football Association Board), where we have between us half of the votes on the laws of the game worldwide.

“That’s 125 years old and seen as a high-profile exclusive privilege.

“And why should it exist?

“What we don’t want to do is introduce any risk.

“Despite the assurances FIFA have given us by sending letters to the home nations saying they are not going to put this on the agenda if we release players for Team GB, we recognise that FIFA is run by an executive committee and it can change from time to time.

“We don’t want to put at risk our position.”

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