6 Aug 2008FA backs team GB

Football Leagues/ Association and Governance | Football Supporters News

The Football Association (FA) has revealed that fans of Great Britain will have a team at the London Olympic Games in 2012, despite the fact that it may not receive the backing of all home nations.

Scotland and Wales have both distanced themselves from the idea because they believe participation may harm their identity in world football.

But Brian Barwick believes the idea should be backed.

The chief executive of the FA told BBC Sport that he thought there should be a team competing for Great Britain in 2012, a view shared by FA chairman Lord Triesman who said he was "completely committed" to plans.

The controversy surrounds the fact that the home nations would need to compete in the Olympics as part of Team GB as opposed to separate entities as England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

This would mean that players would have to appear as Great Britain and Scotland in particular are worried about the effect this will have on their international status.

But Fifa president Sepp Blatter has backed a team represented entirely by England players.

The FA have not ruled this out while appearing desperate to send a team to the games.

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