THE SFA are taking a huge gamble in allowing the FA to select and manage a Team GB football team, which will be entirely English, in the 2012 London Olympics. In dropping their objections to the participation of a "British" team, even one which is England in disguise, the SFA, the Northern Irish FA and the FA of Wales have given England what they always wanted. The FA have, since 1905, been the only one of the four British FAs recognised by the British Olympic Association, and, through them, the IOC. A British football team in the Olympics was always England's ball and while they certainly let the odd Scot, Northern Irishman or Welshman have a kick in the amateur era before 1972, the 2012 team, even if it's a one-off, is entirely different. The FA organised and ran the amateur Team GB football side in the Olympics up until 1972, with any Scottish involvement sub-contracted to the Queen's Park committee; indeed, the only reason no Team GB has appeared in the Olympics since 1972 was the FA's decision to abolish the difference between "professional" and "amateur" players. The FA would always require the permission of the three Celtic associations if the 2012 team were to be truly British; indeed FIFA regulations ensured a truly "British" team could not be entered without the express permission of all four associations. But, the London sub-text was always: "We want a team in the field and we will have one, with or without you". This agreement removes the final obstacle to this. So, if Trinidad and Tobago's Jack Warner, and the other usual suspects, push through demands for a single British FA at some future FIFA Congress, the three Celtic associations have only themselves to blame. Let's hope the three Celtic associations have secured binding FIFA assurances as to their survival as independent bodies within the world governing body - or as binding assurances as it is possible to get from a body with a history of large-scale corruption - otherwise, they've dropped their genuine concerns for nothing. But, if I was George Peat, Gordon Smith or their counterparts in Belfast and Cardiff, I'd be setting-up a secret joint committee to ensure that, if a UKFA has to be formed, then the English don't automatically get all the top jobs and influence. Matt Vallance, New Cumnock Newslink: http://www.theherald.co.uk/sport/letterstothesportseditor/display.var.2511829.0.Team_GB_Celtic_nations_take_a_huge_gamble.php Copyright © 2009 Newsquest (Herald & Times) Limited. All Rights Reserved | 
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