April 16 – A solution could still be find in the row over a British football team to compete at London 2012, the chief executive of the British Olympic Association Andy Hunt (pictured) claimed today.
A deadline of May 31 has been set by world governing body FIFA for the four Home Associations to come to an agreement on a British Olympic men’s and women’s team.
But the Scottish, Northern Irish and Welsh FAs are still opposed to any team – even one made up of purely English players – and time is running out.
Hunt is still hopeful a compromise solution will be reached but said his offers of help had not been taken up.
Speaking at a Sports Journalists’ Association event in London, Hunt said: “A letter has gone out from FIFA looking for the home nations to become joined up in their response before the end of May.
“We have been looking to see whether we can facilitate this as we believe most people in the country want to see a men’s and a women’s football team at the London Olympics.
“We really think it would be an absolute travesty if we didn’t have a GB football team and we really hope there will be a solution to this in the coming few weeks.”
Hunt said it was “conceivable” the three other home nations could agree to an English-only team, or for FIFA to do so.
He said: “I am hopeful there might be a compromise solution.
“I need to remain optimistic as it would be shocking not to have one.
“The FA represents football on the national Olympic committee but FIFA have to agree to us working on that basis.”
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