Fifa: Team GB can't field 2016 football team without home nation agreement
by Tom Anstey | 23 Mar 2015
Ryan Giggs captained the Team GB men's team at the London 2012 Olympic Games / Flickr.com/GrynPhotography
Britain’s chances of fielding a team at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games look unlikely after Fifa vice-president, Jim Boyce, gave “absolute categorical reassurance” that all home nations must agree and participate.
The English Football Association has said it wants to enter both a men’s and women’s side, but Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are all against the proposal.
Team GB competed for the first time as a football team since the 1960 Olympic Games, with both the men’s and women’s teams reaching the quarter-finals at London 2012.
The Scottish FA, has raised concerns that a united British team at the Olympics could risk its independence within Fifa. Football Association of Wales president Trefor Lloyd Hughes, said he was "livid" with the plans, but was encouraged by Fifa's stance. Northern Ireland has also raised concerns about competing as part of a united Team GB, stating "The Irish FA believes that, when playing, our players should play in a Northern Ireland shirt."
The English FA said earlier in March that it planned to enter a team for the 2016 Olympics, writing to its counterparts across Britain to as them if they want to take part. But it looks as though unless the body can change the other country’s minds, then the 2012 GB football team was a one-time deal.
Several players from the home nations featured for Team GB at the London 2012 Games despite Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland not giving their official backing.
Five Welsh players, including Ryan Giggs and Aaron Ramsey, were named in the men's squad, while Scottish duo Ifeoma Dieke and Kim Little were called up to the women's squad.
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Britain’s chances of fielding a team at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games look unlikely after Fifa vice-president, Jim Boyce, gave “absolute categorical reassurance” that all home nations must agree and participate. The English Football Association has said it wants to enter both a men’s and women’s side, but Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are all against the proposal. Team GB competed for the first time as a football team since
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