Scotland opposes British football team at Rio 2016

English FA wants a joint football team at the next Olympics but the move has been opposed by Wales and Scotland.

wembley stadium
Britain fielded a unified football team managed by the FA at London 2012 [Getty Images]

Scotland have followed Wales in voicing opposition to a combined British football team for the 2016 Rio Olympics.

The British Olympic Association (BOA) had said on Tuesday the English FA had confirmed its desire to send a team to Brazil.

“We have been consistently clear in our opposition to Team GB,” a Scottish FA spokesperson was quoted as saying by the BBC.

Scotland’s stance follows that of Wales who expressed their disquiet on Tuesday.

At London 2012, Britain fielded a unified football team managed by the FA, after a 52-year absence, although at the time it was seen as a one-off move to mark the home Games.

“We have received confirmation from the FA of their intention to enter into the qualification process for Rio 2016 for both men and women’s tournaments,” a BOA spokesman had said.

The qualification process for men’s is this year’s Under-21 European Championship with the four semi-finalists sealing a place in the Olympic tournament.

Debate has raged over a British team, with the Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish FAs concerned that agreeing to unite for the Olympics would jeapordise their independent status within football’s world governing body FIFA.

Several Welsh and Scottish players played at London 2012 without the blessing of their FAs.

Source: Reuters