May 29 – A football team of only English players is set to represent Britain at the 2012 London Olympics after the other three Home Countries agreed that they would turn a “blind eye” to their participation.
England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have today sent a joint letter to world governing body FIFA saying they had agreed that an English team could represent Britain in both the men’s and women’s tournaments.
The idea had first been suggested by Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe on insidethegames in March.
The deal must still be ratified by FIFA, which had given the four countries until the end of May to come to an agreement.
The Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish associations refuse to be part of a Britain team, fearing it would jeopardise their independence to compete in events like the World Cup and European Championships and voting rights within FIFA.
FIFA President Sepp Blatter had already made it clear he would accept an English side representing Britain, but had warned the other three associations against becoming involved in case it threatened their status in the future.
The arrangement will allow Britain to enter an Olympic football tournament for the first time since the Rome Games in 1960.
The turning point came this week when the Scottish Football Association Board softened their stance against any move to allow an Olympic team after testing the water internationally.
The feedback was that there was a danger of their intransigence causing them damage in international football circles.
SFA head of communications Rob Shorthouse confirmed the proposal to let England go it alone had been put forward to FIFA, but insisted that it will be Team GB ”in name only”
Shorthouse said: ”We’ve been testing the water internationally, speaking to countries, getting opinion from within FIFA and various other places about the mood at the moment.
“There is a suggestion our intransigence and the whole Team GB debate is starting to really annoy people.
“The worry is, by just saying, ‘No’ all the time, we’re doing ourselves a bit of damage internationally.
“The fundamental point to make is the Scottish FA will not be changing its stance on Team GB.
“We’re absolutely against the four nations playing in a unified team, so Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland’s stance hasn’t changed.
“We’re acknowledging there’s very little we can do to stop them going forward.
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‘We’re acknowledging the fact that England are of a mind to put a team forward for the London 2012 Olympics.
“Our view and the view we will be expressing to the football family around the world is that it’s Team GB only in name because Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will not be involved.”