Football's Disunited Kingdom ; Only England Back Team Gb so Can Fergie Be Manager?

Daily Mail › July 25, 2008

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Summary

THE prospect of an England only football team representing Great Britain at the 2012 Olympics grew yesterday. As Sportsmail exclusively revealed, BOA chairman Lord Moynihan is determined to force through the plan for a GB team, with or without the participation of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. But the Scottish and Welsh Football Associations instantly hit back, insisting they will not back down from their traditional stance. The Northern Ireland FA are also reluctant to support the idea, although the English FA are in favour. If this stalemate is not resolved -- and it seems unlikely -- England will be asked to represent Britain.

This may also have ramifications regarding the desire to appoint Sir Alex Ferguson as boss. If the GB team in 2012 turns out to be a young English team, then the logic of asking a Scot like Ferguson to lead them is certain to be questioned. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland fear participation in a GB team would threaten their independence, with FIFA eventually forcing the four nations to merge and play under one banner. 'They'll have to go ahead without us, I don't see any change at all on our part,' said SFA chief executive Gordon Smith,. In Cardiff, the FAW were in agreement, vowing to 'stick to their principles'. A spokesman said: 'We're totally opposed to a British team. If it turns out to be all England then so be it. We value our independence. We don't want to open the door for anybody to say there's been a British team at the Olympics so why shouldn't there be one at the World Cup and the European Championships? 'It will kill football in Wales if you take away from our players the opportunity to wear the red shirt in front of a full house in Cardiff.'