By Andrew Warshaw
July 11 – The Football Association of Wales (FAW) has reiterated that it will not punish any of the five Welsh players selected for Team GB at the London 2012 Olympics.
Ryan Giggs (pictured above, centre), who captains the side, Craig Bellamy, Joe Allen, Neil Taylor and Aaron Ramsey, were all selected against the wishes of the FAW which fears its individual international status within FIFA might be compromised.
But chief executive Jonathan Ford says he and his fellow officials “respect” the decisions of those who accepted Team GB invitations.
“We’ve always been very clear that we’re never going to put any sanctions on our players with regards to the Olympics,” Ford (pictured below) said.
On a political level, he said, Wales was still opposed to a joint Team GB squad but would never ban any players from wearing the national shirt.
“Of course we will not ban them but it’s well documented that we don’t really see a Team GB,” he said.
“On political grounds we’ve been opposed to it.
“We see a Welsh team, we see an English team, as Scottish team and a Northern Irish team.
“We want to continue to play under that flag.
“On sporting grounds, we don’t really, in our mind, actually view it [football at the Olympics] in such the same esteem as the World Cup or the European Championship.”
Contact the writer of this story at zib.l1734911841labto1734911841ofdlr1734911841owedi1734911841sni@w1734911841ahsra1734911841w.wer1734911841dna1734911841
Related stories
July 2012: Giggs to captain Team GB at London 2012
July 2012: Giggs and Bellamy defy Welsh FA as they join Team GB for London 2012
June 2012: Bellamy to be one of Team GB’s three over-age players for London 2012, he claims
May 2012: Disgruntled Coleman expects “three or four” Welshman to represent Team GB at Olympics
May 2012: Exclusive – Welshman Robbie Savage backs united Team GB at London 2012