Scots Secretary: UK Olympic football team would be 'no threat' to home nations

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A UNITED Kingdom football team could take part in the 2012 Olympics without damaging the future of the home nations teams, according to Scots Secretary Jim Murphy.

Scottish football bosses have opposed the creation of a 'Team GB' for the London, fearing it could jeopardise the independence of the home nations within international governing body FIFA.

But Scots Secretary Murphy reported today that FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke has given him a "reassurance" that a joint UK team in 2012 would have no impact on the Scotland team, or the other three home nations.

Murphy told BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland: "Scottish teenagers of today can be the Olympians of 2012 and can do so safe in the knowledge that the Scottish national team is safe.

"The proposal is for a UK team as a one-off in the Olympics in London in 2012 for players under the age of 23."

As a football fan, Murphy had shared concerns about the impact a UK side might have on Scotland's status.

But he added: "That's why I met Jerome Valcke and told him of my concerns and the concerns of many Scots."

Prime Minister Gordon Brown has already called for a British football team for the Games in London in 2012.

But Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond has dismissed the idea, saying it would jeopardise Scotland's future as an independent football side.

Tory leader David Cameron said on Sunday there was "merit" in the idea and suggested staging a home tournament, the winner of which would go forward as the UK team.

Murphy said today that was one option which could be considered.
He suggested: "Another option would be Alex Ferguson picking the top 22 young men from throughout the UK.

"I am absolutely confident there are 16 and 17-year-old Scots, both men and women, who have a great future in football ahead of them, who could get in that UK football team safe in the knowledge it doesn't affect the Scottish national team.

"That's a new reassurance and commitment from FIFA, and I look forward to them honouring it."

The Scottish FA said today its opposition to a Team GB had not changed.
A spokesman said: "We have to take decisions on this issue based on what is right for Scottish football.

"While we would welcome any statement from Fifa, we have to be clear that Fifa is an organisation made up of its members and it is their views on the precedent that a Team GB would set that are so important in this issue.

"We await with interest the outcome of Fifa's deliberations next month but we must be clear on this. We will not do anything that we feel would jeopardise our status as a footballing nation in our own right.

At this stage we feel that a Team GB does just that.

"At some point there is a real danger that a precedent of a Team GB will come back and threaten our status as a separate nation."

SNP MSP Stuart McMillan said there were still no guarantees that the independence of the four home nations would not be threatened.

Mr McMillan said: "Labour may say it is OK to have a single UK team but the people who should really be listened to are the SFA (Scottish Football Association) and the Tartan Army.

"This is not a guarantee that the independence of the SFA and the other three national associations in the UK will not be threatened by a single UK football Olympic team.

"It is not in the gift of officials but all members of Fifa who could take away the SFA's independence."

A Scottish Government spokesman said some members of Fifa had consistently questioned why the UK had four different national teams represented in tournaments such as the World Cup.

And he said the Government agreed with the SFA that the creation of a British team would a "a wrong move".

The spokesman said: "We agree that a team GB would be taking an unnecessary risk with the future of Scotland as an independent footballing nation. All the footballing authorities seem clear on this as well."

Labour MP Jim Sheridan said he was delighted at the "cast iron guarantee" by Fifa.

The MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North said: "I have always been supportive of moves to allow our best youngsters to represent Team GB in London.

"Nothing could be more thrilling than seeing a UK Olympic win on home soil in 2012 – and that's what I am rooting for.

"The best young Scottish footballers should have the chance to compete in the London Olympics, without threatening our historic national squad.

"If Mr Salmond continues to try and deny our youngsters that chance, he is putting ideology before football."