Call for GB Olympic football team opposed
PRIME Minister Gordon Brown's call for the formation of a Great Britain football team to play in the 2012 London Olympics has been met with suspicion and hostility from Northern Ireland supporters.
They fear the move could damage Northern Ireland’s independent status at international level.
Mr Brown said the creation of a UK team for the Olympics was on his Christmas present wish-list.
Scotland and Wales are also opposed to the move.
Gary McAllister, of the Amalgamation of Northern Ireland Supporters’ Clubs, said his group would resolutely oppose the plan.
The IFA is also said to be against it.
Mr McAllister said: “We are totally opposed to the formation of a UK team for the 2012 Olympics.
“We feel that the creation of a UK team could endanger the right of the four home associations to compete separately in UEFA and FIFA competitions.
“We feel that the potential risk outweighs the perceived merits of what is a cosmetic football tournament which is of little interest.”
Mr McAllister said true football supporters viewed the Olympic tournament as akin to an exhibition competition.
“To demonstrate that I would ask, who won the last one? Or the one before that? I would contend that it’s not high on the list of footballing priorities.”
He said he believed the call for a united team was a political move.
“Obviously there is a big push by the Government and the Olympic Association to buy into a British Olympic football team but I don’t think people have considered the merits or otherwise of this.
“My understanding is that three of the four home nations’ football associations are opposed to it and all four official supporters’ groups – including England – are against a UK Olympic team.
“They feel that the FA and the Olympic Association are out of step with the rest of the UK.”
Mr Brown said yesterday he believed a British football team could take part in the 2012 Olympics without damaging the independence of football bodies in the home nations.
The Prime Minister said: “The issue here is very clear. We are hosting the Olympics in 2012 but at the moment there would be no UK football team in the 2012 Olympics.”
He joked that the creation of a British team was on his Christmas present wish-list.
Mr Brown said it would be a “unique occasion” and called on the various asociations to consider it.
l Meanwhile, a final call has been issued for youngsters with a special Olympic birthday to be signed up for a starring role in the London Games.
Any child who turns four today – which will be the 20th day of the 12th month, or 20/12 day – can register to be part of the Children’s Promise scheme.
Families with children born in the UK on December 20, 2004, who would like to take part but have yet to register, have until April 1, 2009, to do so at www.london2012-.com/childrenspromise
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Sunday 27 May 2012
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