Association Football
In association football, the Home Nations originally referred to the then four national teams of the United Kingdom: England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Today, the Irish Football Association organises the Northern Ireland national football team while the Football Association of Ireland organises the Republic of Ireland national football team; the latter is not referred to as a Home Nation.
A debate took place among the football associations that govern the sport in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, over whether they will allow their members to participate in the 2012 Summer Olympics as a single UK team. The English Football Association and the news media used the term Home Nations to describe the parties to the debate.
Read more about this topic: Home Nations
Famous quotes containing the words association and/or football:
“In this great association we know no North, no South, no East, no West. This has been our pride for all these years. We have no political party. We never have inquired what anybody’s religion is. All we ever have asked is simply, “Do you believe in perfect equality for women?” This is the one article in our creed.”
—Susan B. Anthony (1820–1906)
“In this dream that dogs me I am part
Of a silent crowd walking under a wall,
Leaving a football match, perhaps, or a pit,
All moving the same way.”
—Philip Larkin (1922–1986)