England women's football team barred from Olympics

The England women’s football team were disappointed at a decision to exclude them from playing in the next Olympics but were determined not to let it spoil their upcoming World Cup campaign, coach Hope Powell said today.

The world football governing body FIFA dealt a blow to the squad before their first finals appearance in 12 years by rejecting an appeal by the British Olympic Association to allow them to qualify as part of the team GB for next year’s Olympics Games.