³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ

my mate richard gorski is in the squad having travelled over from the USA. he's having a great time and i wish the boys (and girls of course!) all the luck for reaching the finals!

sorry, don't agree with you on that one. quite a lot of people up north are resentful of money diverted away from charitable causes to fund the event in the first place, and why would we want to sign up to be represented by a team which we would have at most 1 token player in? i'd rather see all the home nations represented by their own teams.

I have no problem with amateurs from all the home nations representing Britain in a football tournament, or indeed professionals in any other sport, but in the case of the Olympics and Football in particular, FIFA were not prepared to offer any guarantees that Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland's independent status would not be endangered. I think it's pretty unfair and ill-informed of you to criticise the respective FA's stance when all they were doing was protecting their long standing independence. Why has this issue only become a sore point at these Olympics? Is it because the BOC have finally decided to tackle the burning issue of the four seperate home nations? OR is this a case of a sporting issue being hijacked by politicians for their own selfish purposes?

"The argument may be made that this is just an amateur level competition"

So are the Olympics. Oh right, I forgot, because athletes from certain countries wouldn't turn up unless they got paid, it's now professional.

If people really understood who our athletes were facing from more "competitive" nations, they would understand how amazing it is that we end up with gold medals at any Olympic or World Championship games. To take away one of our better chances at getting a gold medal over such a irrelevant issue is mean spirited. Spoiled children threatening to take their ball home if we don't do as they demand springs to mind.

As we move towards a federal Europe with common laws and a single currency, how backward must it appear to everyone hoping and waiting to join the EU that we are still squabbling over whether this is one country or four. You know, fighting over issues we demand those future joinees sort out in their own nations before they are allowed to join the EU.

Is there really such a problem with our English cousins understanding this concept? Scotland, Wales and Northern ireland do not want their national footballing identity to be swallowed up by England. We are all fiercly proud of our own achievements and no we don't all reminisce about 1966.

So, can you just all please drop it - a combined UK team is just never going to happen for a FIFA recognised competition!!!! We have managed OK for decades now to get through the Olympics without a representative football team so I'm sure we will all get by in 2012.

The FA's have decided so please just drop the subject and move on.

we should have held a 'home nations tournament' this summer, or even better, last summer with the winner representing GB in the olympics. would've been nice to see.

i think they should make football five a side in the olympics. Make it strictly for amateurs or semi pros. That way it can be a great competition and importantly for the olympics it can be the pinnacle of that particular brand of football.

I personally dont see why it must be an 'either / or' decision myself, especially when the olympics are concerned. As great as the games are, its never been considered a serious football competition. Its certainly at the bottom of the list (World Cup, European/Asian/American continental cups to name the biggest ones). I cant see why for these competitions we can play as the home nations and combine under the British banner for the olympics - which should be a celebration of global sport, not just football. Its not like any team gains an advantage from being seperate for the 'real' football tournaments.

From this perspective, this 'problem' is the creation of UEFA and FIFA, possibly with each respective FA as well. Given the seemingly biased views of Blatter towards the English game also, it seems the focus here is not on football.

Sorry, but I'm 100% behind the decision made by the SFA, FAW and FAI. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are all their own footballing nations, and, in my opinion, their own countries outright. They DO NOT under any circumstances regard themselves as British over Scottish, Welsh or Irish. If there is a GB team competing at the 2012 Olympics, I won't be supporting it, and if I were offered the chance to play for Britain in the University World Cup, or whatever this event is called, I would turn it down.

6. At 5:42pm on 08 Jul 2009, saudioak wrote:
we should have held a 'home nations tournament' this summer, or even better, last summer with the winner representing GB in the olympics. would've been nice to see.

I love this idea - everyone is a winner, the game has its popularity boosted in each country and it brings a united celebration and focus which is in dire lack in these times. Im sure the generated gate receipts and media sponsorship would be well received as well and could be used creatively by each respective FA. Theres only 2 reasons I can think of that wouldnt make it happen.

UEFA would hate it.

FIFA would hate it.

#4-Arctic Andy "To take away one of our better chances at getting a gold medal over such a irrelevant issue is mean spirited. Spoiled children threatening to take their ball home if we don't do as they demand springs to mind."
You reallly believe that a British (combined or not) U21s team has a chance against the best teams in the world? England were lucky to get to the recent European U21 Final last month and then suffered a comprehensive defeat against a superior German team. How would they fare against the top South American teams-Chile just won the Toulon tourney and Argentina are the current Gold medallists-and even the better African Nations, realistically they'd struggle to make the Bronze medal play-off. (However I'm sure you'd agree it's the taking part that counts;-)

I think the whole 2012 olympic GB footy team question is irrelevant. Are we not forgetting that the euro`s are happening in Poland and Ukraine (possibly???), that summer? Why would anyone want to play for the home nations at Euro 2012 instead of the Olympics, which is a vastly inferior tournament? Of course maybe the under 10`s C team reserves of England`s subbuteo team could enter with the other home nations. Not to belittle the great game of Subbuteo...had hours of fun with that as a youngster. I am also English, with a Scottish parent and a Northen Irish great-grandparent...so I feel more British than English. But the footballing home nations should always remain separate IMO.

No. 10

You have the best solution to the 2012 olympics. A playoff. Why not give it to the under 21s? Experience at a tournament against some of the better teams in the world.

Why is it such a hard concept to understand? Rugby do a combined team every 4 years to go on tour why can't football do the same? FIFA said they would not force the indiviual countries to disappear and become one they actually welcomed the thought of the idea.

If they were to merge the countries they would have to change the leagues in all four countries and mess around with qualifications for European competitions and international competitions.

The other issue is that England is the dominant country and the other countries don't like it!!!! Has anybody asked the players what they thought of the idea or is all about the people who don't play and think that they are more important than they really are and that because they hold the purse strings they have the only say.

Playing for a combined team would be the pinnicle of any young player as they have not only represented their country but they are one of the best in the British Isles at Under 23 level.

Handbags is all it is!! Ask the players if they want to play in the Worlds biggest event.

We're all British Citizens. Can we stop being petty and finally unite?

Put an end to the silly divisions that cause nothing but conflict. I mean, remember when division was on race? You'd think tribal divisions would have gone before THAT.

Best of luck to the team! My cousin is on the coaching staff so I'm watching this with interest!

Two words: Ryan Giggs.

Sorry i wasn't letting this did slide! It's such an unsubtle dig at any other footballing FA other than the english but lets put it frankly. England have nothing to lose by being a team gb wheras the other nations could lose they're own national identity. A joint team under a banner gives all the people in fifa etc the perfect excuse to force us to play as one country forever. To anyone from england this is fine as you will have the majority of the team and all of the influence on decision making (yet there wouldn't ever be any pressing for a british league something which surely would only be fair for a team gb).

I am proud to be British by the way but i never want to see the end of a Scottish national side and i am sure wales and n.ireland feel the same. Unlike the lions in rugby there are pressure groups in football who would be more than willing to force the issue even if they say otherwise (who last believed anything out of sepp blatters mouth, certainly not any english folk i know!).

The funny thing is most english folk think no other country would be represented (being an u23 tournament who would know by the time it came around) so why not just have an english team representing.



"Why is it such a hard concept to understand? Rugby do a combined team every 4 years to go on tour why can't football do the same? FIFA said they would not force the indiviual countries to disappear and become one they actually welcomed the thought of the idea."

Of course they would welcome the idea as it gives them a legal precedent at any point to remove our 4 votes on the panel. Rugby has no pressure groups pushing for it so it's a poor example. When fifa introduce a written piece of litigation (not signed by sepp blatter as his leadership can change) stating that there will never be anything that will influence the individuality of the home nations then the other associations will join up. But it's ok because Sepp Blatter said so and therefore it must be true.... Of course the Scotsman who is the technical director of FIFA stating that it would be a bad move for the individuality of those nations doesn't know what he is talking about...

from quotes of the week...
"When I was asked to write a message for your brochure I gladly accepted as I remember my first school tour of England was Wales. The experience proved extremely useful in my development of a cricketer."
South African cricket captain Graeme Smith in a message to a South African cricket club touring around England this summer. The experience clearly did not improve his geography.

i agree with tom, sepp blatter has come out and say that it will not affect the individuality of a nation and when he has publicly said that he's pretty much gonna have to stick by it.
i dont think the complications come down to that, it comes down to who is in charge, what are the criteria, 5 players from each nation etc etc? hows does it work. i wish it could happen, it would be nice to see. i dont think the timing clashes with the WC anyhow but any players invovled would be most likely from the u21 squads surely?
anyone care to take a crack at a squad??? not an easy job!

Wow. Mr Farquhar. You really just don't get it do you? Try seeing the issue from a perspective other than your own England/GB/oneandthesame-centric one. I am Scottish yes, against a GB team at the Olympics yes, but I don't refuse to support the student team. I wish them all the best ,hope they take gold but I just cannot get passionate about it.
Imagine this scenario (purely hpothetical I admit) which may illustrate to you how Scots and Welsh fans in particular would feel about supporting a British team...imagine UEfa were to decide to divide Europe into East/West/North and South Europe teams for the purposes of the world cup. England perhaps lumped in with Ireland,Holland, France, Portugal....and then you are asked to support your new West Europe team, a strong team which may even have a REALISTIC chance to win the world cup!! I bet you wouldn't be passionate about that though. What, No Enland/GB to shout for?? What, having to cheer for Johnny foreigner?? Well, to many Scots (and Welsh I guess) this is no differnet than asking us to ditch our own teams in favour of supporting a GB team for which we can raise no passion. It is because of the danger of this becoming a reality that the SFA are opposed to a GB team at the Olympics. No party-pooping involved I'm afraid. I think as a professional journalist, whose salary is paid by the license payer, you should be required to think a little more deeply about all sides of the issue before you start spouting such inflammatory nonsense.
WHJH,HAP

I've read a few comments suggesting a '³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Nations Tournament' or a playoff of some kind and I think that is a brilliant idea. Would generate interest from all nations and would reignite the rivalries between the countries on a football front - we see the passion involved in Rugby Union matches in the 6 nations and it is certainly something that is missing in football as the home nations do not play each other regularly.

Also a few suggesting the u21's play. The Olympic football is an u23 competition I believe with 3 older players eligible to play. This would basically be the u21 teams playing anyway with a few established names as well - although I could see some clubs not being happy about letting their big players to play in the tournament.

How ever much interest a home nations tournament would create the biggest issue would be the violence associated with such matches.
The arguement of a european team is a non-starter. Who do you cheer on in the Olympic's Team GB or the individual athletes?! Yes football is a differnt issue and there differnt factors at play.
The other FA's feel threatened as a team GB may be successful adn they might not have any reprentatives. How about the team is selected from players not involved in the Euro's.
How many home nation clubs do we support in europe and have god knows with god knows how many players. Its about the badge not the individuals.

Gordon,

Just for the record I'm in favour of allowing any footballer the choice of playing for the GB Team in 2012 - even though I know it will never happen. FIFA's reassurances will never be taken at face value.

Still it's an entertaining subject that raises the hackles of the Republican clans. So it's always worth returning to it on a regular basis - good journalism!

This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.

PPL on here are commentating about amateur players, York City and Kettering Town players are not amateurs, non-league players are semi progessional or professional. I would say York City players earn more than many on this comment board.

Naffs me off when non-league players are portaryed as happy go lucky amateurs playing for the love of the game.

As for the Student question, think anything that undermines the English, Scottish, Welsh, Norn Iron FAs is a step backwards.

Why not just make it for non-professional teams as that would solve the problem (although a lot of countries do not have a good non-league infrastructure) which could prove a problem. Otherwise let the U-21's play, have a British team (every other sport manages it and Rugby is an excellent example of how it could work). The other unions complain about independence etc but something like this several years ago would have allowed players like Ryan Giggs, Ian Rush, Vinnie Jones, Gary Speed, Neville Southall, Dean Saunders, Mark Hughes and Kevin Ratcliffe (to name but a few) to have played at a major tournament. All of those players would have been good enough to make the Olympic Squad and coupled with players like Hansen, Dalglish, Souness, Lineker, Barnes, O'Neill, Whiteside and Terry Butcher would have had an exceelnt chance of winning the OLympics but all the Welsh, Scottish and Irish FA's seem to be concerned about is politics

2ndApril2006 - Unless you are actually good enough to play at that standard then I don't think you can honestly say that you would turn it down. The whole University Sports System is run by BUSA who are a BRITISH Associateion and everyone within that system regards it as an honour to be selectyed for whichever sides they have the skill to reach.

As for the Scottish Technical Director considering he was always opposed to the idea can we trust his views to be objective? Let's face it unless they drastically improve a GBR team at the Olympics is going to be the only way that Wales, Scotland or NI actually reach a mejor tournament in the next 10 years

For everyone's information, there is more than just football being played at the games and so far Great Britains medal tally now stands at four medals after two Gold medals for Gymnast Beth Tweddle (Liverpool), one Gold for swimmer Stephanie Proud (Florida University) and one Bronze for Judo's Gemma Gibbons (Bath).

Well done team, keep it up!

You can follow the action and get live results on
www.universiade-belgrade2009.org

or hear more about Team GBR on www.bucs.org.uk

Which non-professional teams are you talking about, adampsb? Shows ingnorance that you think non-league teams are not professional.

Do you think players of Wrexham, Chester City, Luton Town, Oxford United play for the love of the game?

I'd just like to point out that it's not just people from the smaller parts of this "wonderfull" united kingdom of ours who want to keep the national teams seperate. I'm English. I have never thought of myself as British, and never will. I already resent haveing my nationallity already listed as British in anything official, and I certainly don't want this carrying over to football.

Having said this, I would love to see a team GB at the Olympics, since it's already established that the Olympics treats GB as one nation. However, before this can happen, we do need assurances that the 4 nations will be allowed to carry on competing seperately in the world cup, euro's etc. and untill we get such assurances, I whole heartedly support the FA's who are holding out, and wish the larger English one would really get behind them.

First of all, to have young athletes participating in the 3rd biggest multi sport event in the world is an invaluable for their personal development. All players involved in the ladies squad play at some international level for their home nations teams and now have more experience to feed into those teams. Brilliant. For the men, this may be the highest level and certainly the biggest event that they could play in, some may make it to wembly with various cup competitions and play offs. Again great experience for all involved and possibly a route back into pro footall. Excellent, justify's the whole concept.

Secondly, I like the idea of select sides and defining your level. People talk about gettting off the "ladder" at the level your good enoungh to play at. From making your school team, to the regionals/county sides to international schools, getting an apprenticeship at a pro side to getting your first pro contract then being the next dennis law/ giggs or gerrard. We all know what level we made as players. Imagine a UK select, it's just another way of defining who cuts the mustard at the next level up. Scotland would have the goalie and d fletcher and not much else. As a nation we have to address that issue and why our players aren't good enough. But giggs would play infront of joe cole etc. And for all the big time charlieness of the premier league players they would have to be extra special to aspire to a british level. The extension is naming the best european side that wouldn't actually play but we'd know who the best is, would any british player make it? not sure!! So from primary school to making a european 11 we know exactly where we all made it to as players. I believe it's called a performance pathway.

A few closing remarks;

We'd have to rebrand, don't like god save the queen and i'm sure your fed up hearing about "proud edwards army"

Not prepared to comprimise any home nations positions, we must remain singular and never come together for european or world cups.

Yes d fletcher would play in a british side.

Perhaps No 11 could explain how England U21's were "lucky" to make the Euro final? Unbeaten until the final sure they slipped up in the semi but that was due to fantastic play and passion from Sweden backed by a home crowd. Clearly we could have given Germany a better game in the final if we had any strikers left apart from a part injured and worn out Theo and our first choice goalie (man of the match in the semi). I'm sure the other home nations were just "unlucky" not to win it? With regards to the olympics as long as FIFA were on board I would be in favour of playoffs, maybe England could just enter their under 21 team in these to make it a bit fairer on the "weaker" home nation teams.

"i agree with tom, sepp blatter has come out and say that it will not affect the individuality of a nation and when he has publicly said that he's pretty much gonna have to stick by it."

Really..... Sepp Blatter is merely the head of FIFA and an elected one. He could be disposed of and that statement becomes utterly redundant as it wasn't FIFA's view but Sepp Blatters. He said he would hand over a letter signed by the delegates to Gordon Brown in 2007 this letter amazingly has never arrived. Now if they are all quite ok with the situation of the home nations why do they not hand it over?

Some of his quotes about the situation
""The 2012 Games will be played in London," he added. "There is another problem there because the four British associations have to put in one team which would be called Great Britain."

From the same article

Fifa president Sepp Blatter says he would have no problems if Team GB were to field a football team in 2012 consisting of 11 English players.

So he wouldn't but there would be problems...

Now lets see what he said in 2008

Fifa president Sepp Blatter says a Great Britain football team at the 2012 Olympic Games should feature only English players.

The Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish football bodies oppose a GB team in case it affects their Fifa status, while England back the idea.

Blatter now says said the independent status of the four British associations could be harmed by a unified GB team.

"They should enter only a team composed of players from England," said Blatter.

"This will then not provoke a long and endless discussion of the four British associations."


Wow what a change from 2008 (it WILL affect) to 2012 where he says there would be no problem with the team being all english but it wouldn't affect individuality. These arguments haven't died.


"As for the Scottish Technical Director considering he was always opposed to the idea can we trust his views to be objective? "

David Taylor who worked at the F.A yeah i would consider him to be objective. He isn't opposed to the idea of a Team GB (I would happily support one) but we don't want to lose our nations side.

It's time people stopped making it out as if the other three are being petty. We would lose our own identity as footballing nations and for what an under 23's tournament that nobody has cared about a Team Gb being at until the politicians interfered. As i have shown Sepp Blatter admitted before it would affect them and the pressure groups (eastern europe, african, middle east) teams that are coming through want our four votes reduced to one.


Also before you lot all crack on about Team GB think about what affect the four associations becoming one would create. No individual leagues anymore so would english football (i.e premier league) be willing to share it's spoils with the lowly scottish, irish and welsh club teams...

A GB football team in the Olympics would not increase the risk of a UK team having to compete in all competitions in the future. Firstly, this would be against FIFA statutes, which would be extremely difficult for them to 'tear up' without reorganising the whole organisation which is unlikely due FIFA making to much money as it currently is.

The second, and perhaps most important reason is that in the unlikely event that FIFA proposed the abolition of the home nations' status, it would almost certainly get voted down. In order to change the status of the home nations, a two-thirds majority vote would be required in favour. The only way that such a majority could be reached would be for a significant number of UEFA nations to vote in favour of this. They would be highly unlikely to do so firstly, because there is no desire within UEFA nations for this to happen. Secondly, most countries in Europe would rather have a 'disunited kingdom' to compete against as it means four nations from the same area will undoubtedly be weaker than one team from all (Even if it would be English dominated - I say that sadly as a proud Scot).

However, the most important reason is that were the UK forced to combine within FIFA then UEFA would lose a guaranteed seat on the FIFA executive committee. Power and influence all comes down to votes. Ask yourselves why UEFA would support a motion that would decrease its influence in the game? The simple answer is that they wouldn't - Turkeys don't vote for Xmas, as we're often told.

It is also worth bearing in mind that in all previous sessions and meetings of the FIFA executive committee, the status of the home nations has never even been raised, let alone debated.

Don't misunderstand me, there are lots of nations within FIFA, particularly in Africa and Asia who may support this but the palpable danger posed to the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Nations does not exist outwith those federations. As usual, some elements of the media, and particularly some political figures are attempting to shock people for their own ends. A one-off GB football team at the Olympics would not cause any lasting harm.

p.s. More information about votes within FIFA etc. can be found in some of Keir Radnedge's articles for World Soccer Magazine. I'd quote them if I could find them online.

Oh can i apologise Taylor works at UEFA i was getting confused in that regard. It was David Will who used to be Fifa vice president who i was thinking of with regards to quotes.

"If you start to put together a combined team for the Olympic Games, the question will automatically come up that there are four different associations so how can they play in one team.

"If this is the case then why the hell do they have four associations and four votes and their own vice-presidency?

"This will put into question all the privileges that the British associations have been given by the Congress in 1946."


Blatter said: "I'm happy because I have always said don't make a big story about this.

"You have to bring a Great Britain team for the 2012 Olympics in football, and as they are four associations then take one association to be this team.

"I said this at the very beginning and they did it. I am happy they are happy, the IOC is happy, the organising committee is happy and I hope football is happy.''

Now from an ESPN article with the sports minister.

The Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish FAs feared any involvement could threaten their separate identity in football, but Andy Burnham, secretary of state for culture, media and sport, earlier today condemned their stance as "narrow-minded''.

Burnham said on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio Five Live: "I'm obviously pleased that the four associations have come to an agreement that there can be a Team GB.

"But I think it's very disappointing and actually a bit narrow-minded in some ways that we're just saying young talent from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland can't represent that team GB.

"I understand entirely if Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland don't want to be in any way seen to support the principle of team GB... but I think it is very unfair that a young player in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland who would get a call-up to that team, would be threatened with sanctions about joining that team."

It's not a case of us not supporting a team GB just not at the risk of our own associations. It's nothing to do with principles about supporting a united british side we do it for other sports at the olympics.

"I just feel let's put aside the politics, let's just let sports people make their own decisions and let's put the best British team on home soil.''

Yeah i mean your whole statement is completely apolitical isn't it andy... This whole scenario is nothing but politics, we went to china without a team and to every olympics since 1956. If any other sportsman other than the english partake then the question will again rise so we will take no chance thank you...

This is the problem we have simple narrow minded people who haven't and don't understand the bigger picture (mainly as England have nothing to lose). Most of the people think the team would be all english anyway so what is the problem with that? Why on earth do you need the other countries there?

Andy Burnham is a typical little englander Zanulabour drone.

He is NOT THE SPORTS MINISTER!

He's THE SPORTS MINISTER FOR ENGLAND!

Maybe the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ will get it right one day. But I doubt it.

Also Farquhar knows as much about sport as a very veru stupid person with no brain.

Any Scotman who tried to play in the 2012 games WILL be banned for life and rightly so. Restraint of trade my behind.

The Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish FA's have made their decisions to not take part in GB team at the 2012 Olympics. I think you need to just accept this as, their reasons go far beyond the Olympics and will be the beginning of the slippery slope to a GB team in the European Championships and the World Cup; a team frankly I care not to support.

"Firstly, this would be against FIFA statutes, which would be extremely difficult for them to 'tear up' without reorganising the whole organisation which is unlikely due FIFA making to much money as it currently is."

It would be difficult for them but certainly the infrastructure has already been discussed for the possibility of this. In what way would it be against the statutes? We would have contradicted our protectionary status by competing under one banner so it would become redundant legally.

"The second, and perhaps most important reason is that in the unlikely event that FIFA proposed the abolition of the home nations' status, it would almost certainly get voted down. In order to change the status of the home nations, a two-thirds majority vote would be required in favour. The only way that such a majority could be reached would be for a significant number of UEFA nations to vote in favour of this. They would be highly unlikely to do so firstly, because there is no desire within UEFA nations for this to happen. Secondly, most countries in Europe would rather have a 'disunited kingdom' to compete against as it means four nations from the same area will undoubtedly be weaker than one team from all"

The major power base for the change has actually been from the eastern bloc since the fall of communism. They have many many many teams who feel that our four votes means we have a major stranglehold on the game. The majority wouldn't be so hard if you consider the home nations would have no right to vote, there are far more countries who would want the change to increase they're own power base. Roughly around two thirds would be able to be achieved with succesful lobbying. Only major uefa countries would see this as a bad thing as it would potentially increase the possibility of a major rival.


"However, the most important reason is that were the UK forced to combine within FIFA then UEFA would lose a guaranteed seat on the FIFA executive committee. Power and influence all comes down to votes. Ask yourselves why UEFA would support a motion that would decrease its influence in the game? The simple answer is that they wouldn't - Turkeys don't vote for Xmas, as we're often told."

UEFA is already a powerhouse in the game and it is extremely unlikely there would be no representation from UEFA on any FIFA panel with our without that ruling. Yes there wouldn't be a guarantee but then again how many of UEFA support the british delegate already in place?

"It is also worth bearing in mind that in all previous sessions and meetings of the FIFA executive committee, the status of the home nations has never even been raised, let alone debated."

Does this mean it hasn't been discussed? I have brought up Blatters own comments from 2008 and Jack Warner has many times stated his desire for the change. This has been discussed many times by many people just there is no reason to bring it up at the executive as there is no legal precedent with which to take the matter forward. A united Team GB at such an event is all that is needed to bring it up, using it as an example of how the four home nations can come together so why should they get four votes when they are one country. At the moment they have nothing to exclude the voting power our nations have on the commitee so it would instantly be voted down

Andy Burnham is now Health Secretary.

A prize to the person who can name his replacement and a bonus for the name of the Sports Minister.

And what started all of this - an article about the World Student Games!

Good luck Mr Gorski!

(see no 1 above)

It is a completely different competition why should it even affect their independance in FIFA this is just proffesional footballers wanting to Represent Britain in the Olympics!

"Andy Burnham is now Health Secretary."

I should have written before the reshuffle but it's really irrelevant to the point that was made so no need to be so pedantic ;)

The problem is I, like a lot of people it seems, just don't feel the same patriotism towards being British as I do being English (or Scottish, Welsh or N.Irish etc.).

I'm not a huge athletics fan but I do cheer on the British team. I would actually prefer to cheer on a less successful English team thoug, and yes I realise our most successful cyclist was Scottish, Colin Jackson is Welsh etc...

It's even more the case with rugby and footbal because I feel more passionate about the sports. I will support any English team in Europe. I would not support Cardiff, Swansea, Wrexham though if they qualified. I would probably support their opposition because I would resent them taking an English team's place.

The argument about should Celtic and Rangers join the English Premier League is just bizarre. Should we let Barcelona and Real Madrid join because they monoploise their own league? What about Ajax and Feyenoord?

It's a strange positon to be in regarding having English/Scottish/Welsh national teams at some sports and a British Olympic team. If it would impact on us having individual national sides then I would say don't have a combined team because I would hate to lose those. I'd rather split the Olympics team.

Heck I almost feel as European as I do British and now we've got a European Govenrment FIFA may go the whole hog and try and make us play as Europe, sorry I forgot Platini wouldn't stand for that.

If Team GB is to happen a few of things need to be looked at!

1. Sepp Blatter/FIFA confirm that England, Wales Scotland NI will not disappear into football history.

2 What about all the other non-independant states that compete individually - Hong Kong, Chinese Tapai or any others.

3. Who would organise a team?

back tho the matter at hand, the guys lost on penalties yesterday but play in the 3rd/4th playoff against japan tomorrow.

I think one thing that all the posters seem to be missing is that fact that although it is the Olympic tournament, all major competitive football competitions fall under FIFA regulations.

The IOC and BOC could say whatever they want but if FIFA say different then what FIFA says goes. It was FIFA that decided on the Olympics being an under-23 tournament.

It has already been stated earlier that many countries in UEFA would be happy to see the home nations disappear and be replaced by a UK national side. This would undoubtedly improve their chances of qualification for the European Championships and the World Cup at the national level as well as then improving them at a club level in the Champions League and Europa League.

I'm finding it difficult to understand, even after all the previous posts explaining this point, that there is still a procession of (I assume) English posters stating they can't see anything wrong. I ask you, would you still like to see England v Scotland; England v Wales; England v N. Ireland matches at some point in the future? Well if Team UK (why is it GB when Northern Ireland is also included?) was put in place for the Olympics then over 100 years of rivalry and national pride would go out the window.

There have been comments about "Sepp Blatter has said ....". Well so what? As a comparison, I'm sure there are many things that Tony Blair said while leader of the Labour Party that were turned around by Gordon Brown once he gained power. It is the same thing that would happen once Mr Blatter is deposed (perhaps by an eastern bloc vote for change).

The argument should now be closed. The Scottish, Welsh and Irish FAs have agreed to let an England team represent UK and FIFA have accepted this. The matter is closed - let it lie and then safely look forward to many more exciting ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ International matches in the future.