UK soccer squad urged for Olympics

Football Associations in N. Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales were today urged by a former Stormont Sports Minister to give their blessing to a one-off UK soccer squad to compete in the 2012 Olympics.

Ulster Unionist Assembly Member Michael McGimpsey said the formation of a one-off UK team for the London Games was an opportunity which should not be missed.

The South Belfast MLA said: “There is tremendous excitement surrounding the game at the moment.

“Now is the time for each nation’s governing body to come together and discuss preparations for a British Olympic football team.

“FIFA have voiced their support for the idea, as have governments.

“It is now a matter for the Associations to seek agreement. This is an excellent opportunity that shouldn’t be missed.

“As has been made clear by FIFA, the Olympics is a one-off and should in no way impinge upon the independence of the four Home Nations.”

There have been concerns among some soccer enthusiasts outside of England that Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish players would struggle for inclusion in a British Olympic squad.

And they have also warned that an all-UK team for the 2012 Games could set a dangerous precedent for international competition and lead to pressure from other footballing nations for the English, Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish teams to merge and compete as the one unit in European Championship and World Cup qualifying campaigns.

On the eve of the Ulster Unionist conference in Belfast, Mr McGimpsey insisted the nations should continue to be represented separately in qualifying tournaments, even if the green light is given to a British team.

With London hosting the Games and promising some of the Olympic soccer tournament matches will be played in venues across the UK, sports fans in Northern Ireland hope a new national stadium on the site of the former Maze Prison could host some of the games.

Mr McGimpsey said: “The Olympics is about bringing nations together under the banner of sport.

“A combined British team would embody that Olympic spirit and do much to promote involvement in the Games from right across the UK.

“The World Cup qualifying campaign showed how well Northern Ireland can compete on the international stage.

“Top class players aspire to show their ability on the world stage. The Olympics would provide the platform for each nation to put on show the best of its footballing talent.”