Scots won’t play ball for Britain at the Olympics
From Back Page said when they will make a decision. If they do not take part, England and Northern Ireland will supply the British team. Scotland and Wales do not want to risk their independent status at future major tournaments, even though FIFA president Sepp Blatter has repeatedly said there would be no repercussions if they joined a combined British team. However, the Scots and Welsh dismiss Blatter’s support as immaterial since he will not be running FIFA when the London Games take place. FA executive director David Davies, who has made numerous attempts to bring Scotland and Wales into the British camp, said: ‘It was a decision for Scotland to make and they have made it. Other sports were looking for football to take a lead over this matter and it was important that we did so.’ London 2012 spokesman Mike Lee said: ‘There’s now a green light for the planning to start for the British football team, which is a very positive outcome. It’s quite clear that nothing was going to derail that objective.’ Scotland’s consistent refusal to join the British football team is all the more surprising as Hampden Park was earmarked for the opening match of the men’s event. The London organising committee may now think again about the Glasgow stadium hosting such a prestigious game. Scottish FA spokesman Andy Mitchell said:‘We will do nothing to jeopardise our independent status and we have been very consistent in this policy long before London won the Olympics. ‘We take Sepp Blatter’s assurances with a pinch of salt as he will not be FIFA president in 2012.’ The last time Britain fielded a football team in the Olympics was at Rome in 1964, although they continued to try to qualify until 1972.