The Scottish and Welsh FAs are worried about their status in FIFA and UEFA should the home nations unite for the 2012 Olympics. But UK fans will be the losers if we don't team up.
'What harm could it do to give young players the opportunity to play alongside their peers against the best young players in the world?'
It was announced by the British Olympic Association last week that Great Britain will field a football team at the 2012 Olympics in London made up of players from all four home nations. Sir Clive Woodward said: "If the football teams were put together with strong squads and a strong coach, I think they would have a real medal chance."
Far from being the unifying move organisers had hoped for, it seems to be divisive, already having caused controversy among officials and fans alike. The Welsh and Scottish FAs have refused even to enter into discussion about it, claiming it would impact their national identity and autonomy. This is a real shame, as it is a great opportunity for all involved and I would love to see it happen for a number of reasons.
Firstly it would be a travesty not to see the so-called ‘national game’ not being represented by a team when we have the opportunity of the Olympics in the UK. The huge crowds and extra interest that would no doubt be generated by this would be a great boost for the Games in general, and hopefully lead to some unity amongst fans, too.
I wouldn’t like to see this become a permanent situation, as we all love supporting our individual nations, and there is so much history and passion tied up in them. But for this one Olympic games in Britain, why not? Former Scotland manager Craig Brown claims this would be 'the thin end of a very thick wedge', but I don't see why it has to be. If a decision is taken and it is made clear that this is for 2012 only, why should that change?
The objections raised by Scotland and Wales that this would jeopardise their positions as separate nations within FIFA and UEFA are unfounded. Before announcing this move, the BOA had extensive consultation with football's governing bodies which culminated in Sepp Blatter announcing: “For us there is no problem, I don't know why they [Scotland and Wales] are concerned.”
In fact, Britain entered a team of amateurs in every Olympics between 1908 and 1972 and there seems to have been little effect on national autonomy over those 60 or so years. It all smacks of a little bit of paranoia and parochialism.
Once again football should look to the example set by rugby to allay these crazy fears about a loss of national identity that the Welsh and Scots seem to be touting. Every time the British Lions tour, people from all four nations get behind the side and unite under the one banner. No one suffers as a result; in fact the game is strengthened both in terms of publicity and experience for the players.
What harm could it do to give young players the opportunity to play alongside their peers against the best young players in the world? No rugby fan would ever claim that the Lions weaken rugby as a whole in the British Isles; their presence gives the game a new set of opportunities and challenges. The same would be true in football.
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