Football at The Summer Olympics - British Non-involvement

British Non-involvement

After 1974, when the Football Association of England abolished the distinction between "amateur" and "professional" football, Great Britain no longer entered a team into the qualifying competitions of the Olympics.

The four parts of the United Kingdom, known as the 'Home Nations' – England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales – have separate international teams within FIFA, which includes a guaranteed position as Vice-President on the FIFA Executive Committee and have a 50% presence on the International Football Association Board, which sits annually to debate changes within the Laws of the Game.

With London selected as the host for the 2012 Games there was considerable pressure within the English FA, British Olympic Committee and the British Government for the UK to field men's and women's teams. The Football Association of Wales and Scottish Football Association have strongly objected to this out of fear it may lead to their separate status in FIFA competitions being called into question. The Irish Football Association, which covers Northern Ireland, is less strong in its view.

On 24 July 2008, speaking about the proposal for a United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland team at the 2012 London Olympics, the Scottish Football Association's Chief Executive, Gordon Smith said:

"The Scottish FA's position on this issue remains the same – we are opposed to the concept of a British football team. As we have said many times before, we feel that such a move would threaten the independent status of the Home Nations.

"Also, when we speak to our fan groups about this issue, they tell us that they are strongly opposed to the idea. As the governing body of football in this country, we will always do what is best for the sport here in Scotland.

"On a personal note, I feel that the Olympics should be the pinnacle of any sport and it is doubtful as to whether an age restricted football competition in the Olympics would ever be able to rival the World Cup."

The row amongst the four UK associations ended when they agreed on a compromise by which England would exclusively organize men's and women's teams, made up entirely of English players, to play as Great Britain. On 29 May 2009, the four associations sent a joint letter to FIFA stating that "the Scottish, Northern Irish and Welsh Associations recognize that England want to do this and there'll be no further opposition from them to England taking part as Team UK providing they do not attempt to include any Scottish, Welsh or Northern Irish players". The full squad for the men's team for the Olympic Games was announced on 2 July 2012, and contained 13 English and 5 Welsh players, while two Scottish players were selected for the women's team. No Northern Irish players were selected for either team.