Olympic Stadium

By Graham Barnstaple
June 20 2011

The SFA have today, once again, confirmed their resistance to a Great Britain football side at the London Olympics next year.

This is despite British Olympic Association chief executive Andy Hunt saying he is "incredibly positive" that there will be men's and women's sides at the Olympics.

However, SFA chief executive Stewart Regan said: "We haven't spoken to Andy Hunt and our position on the matter has not changed."

He added: "We have consulted the Association of Tartan Army Supporters Clubs, our board and also members of the media and there is absolutely no appetite."

The Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish Football Associations have repeatedly expressed opposition to British Olympic teams but cannot legally stop players competing.

"Legally, we couldn't stand in any player's way if it was their wish, nor would we stand in their way if that's what they wanted," explained a spokesman for the SFA.

"But, when the players were asked about it during our preparations for the friendly with Brazil in March, not one noted an interest."

The BOA have left the management of the football teams with the English FA, showing some initial contempt for the other three nations given it is Britain who are holding the games.

There is still a fear amongst the Welsh, Irish and the Scots that they could lose their individual identities if the move goes ahead. There has long been a feeling FIFA would be keen to bring all four home nations under one International side.

I would like to think that fear is unfounded in this day in age of devolved power in the UK and we should have the same rights as San Marino, Andorra, Lichtenstein and other smaller nations who compete on their own right.

I am not keen on the idea myself and would find it hard to get behind a GB team composed mainly of English players.

We have managed most of my life without a GB football team, I am not sure why we need to have one now….