Olympics - is it time Team GB did football?

[Bushmaster]

We don't have a Team GB footie team apparently because the FA thinks that it will lead to us having to put a GB team into the world cup, etc, instead of the three home teams.

So in 2012 we will be hosting the football Olympics without fielding a team!

Is it time we had a GB football team?

[ninja-lewis]

Absolutely not. Team GB is a slippery road to no seperate representation at all. This would affect not just the national teams in the World Cup but also participation in European club competitions and seperate league strutures.

I wouldn't trust a word Blatter or anyone related to London 2012 organisation. They do not have the interests of Scottish (or Welsh and Northern Irish) football at heart. Blatter (or future FIFA presidents) under pressure from other nations could turn around and say a precedent has been set for example. While London 2012 will probably say whatever it takes to get their way.

[Skyrat]

No. Someone on the British Olympic organisation thingy has reportedly said there will be one for 2012. The SFA have, quite rightly, told them to sling their hook.

[Simpo Two]

Don't see the problem. Russia used to come first or second in every Olympics until they fragmented; now they're nowhere.

Mind you for GB football, all those exotic Latin types in the Premier League wouldn't count, so it'd be up to Roy of the Rovers and Gary Clagthorpe of Scumbag United to clog it in from the halfway line with seconds to spare...

[dave_s13]

I'm a football ignoramus.

What's the reason (explained simply) for us not having an olympic footy team?

[ewenm]

dave_s13 said:

I'm a football ignoramus.

What's the reason (explained simply) for us not having an olympic footy team?

There is no GB football team. England/Scotland/Wales/NI yes, GB no. We compete at the Olympics as GB.

[Fittster]

What's the point? The fans and players would know it was just a publicity stunt and that the World Cup is the only internation football tournament that counts.

[vonhosen]

dave_s13 said:

I'm a football ignoramus.

What's the reason (explained simply) for us not having an olympic footy team?

If we were to have GB team in the olympics it's likely we would only be allowed to have a GB team at the world cup, rather than the home nation teams. (Perhaps that wouldn't be a bad thing though seeing as each struggles to qualify.)

[dave_s13]

Right, got it

[The Ben]

Well surely it would be called Team England surely, as there are no good Scotish, Welsh or Northern Irish players....





p.s.

Got my coat, im running

[Mello]

Thin end of wedge spotted. How long before a Team Europe? Come to think of it we might win something then.

Seriously though, can you imagine standing with a sweaty and cheering on the same team? Are you mad?