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[Teabags]

Been announced as a possibility. People are whinging. Why? Its okay to have British teams for every otehr olympic sport, but not football?

[Le Stu]

Another one? What about Glasgow Rangers?

(can haz coat)

[french_disko]

Originally Posted by Teabags

Been announced as a possibility. People are whinging. Why? Its okay to have British teams for every otehr olympic sport, but not football?

Because Scotland, N Ireland, Wales and the other bunch have separate teams at present & it may cause issues within FIFA or wherever and jepordise that.

[french_disko]

United Kingdom national football team - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Position of FIFA
The position of FIFA, football's international governing body, in the debate is seen as critical. The Scottish Football Association's opposition to the plans are rooted primarily in the fear that the Home Nations would lose their special status,[2] which is established under FIFA's constitution.[13] FIFA President Sepp Blatter had given assurances to the Home Nations' FAs that their status would not be affected by the FAs fielding a combined team in 2012, stating:

“ We have confirmed in writing that they have to provide a Great Britain team for the 2012 Olympics, but the four British associations will not lose the rights and privileges acquired back in 1947.[14] ”

Nonetheless, the SFA has made clear that its position has not changed, arguing that Blatter's personal opinion and permission may not matter once Blatter has left office, and that they do not wish to jeopardise Scotland's future position[2]. The case for the UK team may be strengthened by the decision of the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball to permit a single UK volleyball team to participate at the 2012 Games. [15] Blatter seemed to change his view in March 2008 by stating:[9]

“ They should enter only a team composed of players from England. ”

He also suggested that the independent status of the four British associations could in fact be harmed by a unified GB team, contradicting his previous statement.

[Teabags]

Thank you. You are kind.

[Paranoid Android]

I'm all for a British team (for the olympics only). I'm quite annoyed with the SFA's staunch refusal to take part in it or even listen to the idea of it. It would something different and make the olympic football tournament more interesting. Despite football being my favourite sport by far I probably watched about 3 seconds worht of coverage from the football in Beijing.

After the assurances from fifa and the fact that the olympics is only an under 23 (plus a couple of seniors) tournament anyway I don't really see any threat to the survival of the current system.

If rugby can have their Lions tours every few years and keep the seperate teams for the home nations I don't see why the football associations can't put together a British under 23 team for a couple of weeks.

[Tubthumper]

A British team will just be full of English players.

[RF Scott]

Originally Posted by Tubthumper

A British team will just be full of English players.

Wasn't the curling team full of Scottish players?

[Tubthumper]

Touche. But who cares about curling?

[french_disko]

Originally Posted by Tubthumper

Touche. But who cares about curling?

Scottish curlers. Obviously.