A Unified GB Football Team at the Olympics.
Discussion
There has been this ongoing debate about who will represent the GB football team at the Olympics, with NI, Wales and Scotland refusing to back a unified team as they may lose their independent status, depite assurances from the FA and FIFA this will not happen.
I think it would be a great idea to show unity and would do wonders for relations between such close neighbours, or is there a more deep rooted historical, religious or political reason behind it? Each nation has been representing themselves since 1964 and apart from 1966 have won nothing, perhaps a unified team can actually win something for a change. Are players allowed to chose between taking part or not? So if the Welsh FA say no, can that new kid "Ramsey" from Arsenal say he wants to be part of it and play? Cardiff plays in our league and has been given the blessing of everyone to take part in the UEFA cup competition (I think) so whats the problem?
Any Scots, Irish, Welsh football fans who also think this is a bad idea? And why? Or would you simply like to represent your home nation?
I think it would be a great idea to show unity and would do wonders for relations between such close neighbours, or is there a more deep rooted historical, religious or political reason behind it? Each nation has been representing themselves since 1964 and apart from 1966 have won nothing, perhaps a unified team can actually win something for a change. Are players allowed to chose between taking part or not? So if the Welsh FA say no, can that new kid "Ramsey" from Arsenal say he wants to be part of it and play? Cardiff plays in our league and has been given the blessing of everyone to take part in the UEFA cup competition (I think) so whats the problem?
Any Scots, Irish, Welsh football fans who also think this is a bad idea? And why? Or would you simply like to represent your home nation?
Edited by Jetl3on on Wednesday 6th August 09:09
Seeing as the olympics team is called "Great Britain", I don't really see the problem?
I am Welsh, and have no objections to the British & Irish Lions rugby team, and neither do the majority of players. It is a one off event and does not prevent them from representing their country still.
It is probably just a football thing, feeling the need to hate eachother for no reason!
I am Welsh, and have no objections to the British & Irish Lions rugby team, and neither do the majority of players. It is a one off event and does not prevent them from representing their country still.
It is probably just a football thing, feeling the need to hate eachother for no reason!
Personally I think football has no place at the Olympics anyway, along with a few other sports. I've long held the opinion that the only sports that should be at the the Olympics are those that are quantifiable, not down to subjective judgement and do not already have a major world championships.
Bizarrely if this idea was adopted it would result in the exclusion of gymnastics but would pave the way for darts as a replacement! Possibly not workable then.
Bizarrely if this idea was adopted it would result in the exclusion of gymnastics but would pave the way for darts as a replacement! Possibly not workable then.
Edited by merc_man on Wednesday 6th August 09:20
And the Republic of Ireland might want a unified Ireland team as well 
Already, the Republic allows Northern Ireland born sportsmen and women to represent the Republic in the Olympics, even if the individuals are still British citizens.
There have been occasions when Northern Ireland people have represented Ireland rather than GB.
Already, the Republic allows Northern Ireland born sportsmen and women to represent the Republic in the Olympics, even if the individuals are still British citizens.
There have been occasions when Northern Ireland people have represented Ireland rather than GB.
Read this quote from Sepp Blatter and you'll understand why the Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish FA's are fearful of a GB team:
Sepp Blatter said:
"If you start to put together a combined team for the Olympics, the question will automatically come up that there are four different associations so how can they play in one team," he said.
"If this is the case then why the hell do they have four associations and four votes and their own vice-presidency?
"This will put into question all the privileges that the British associations have been given by the Congress in 1946."
Esentially this could well be the beginning of the end for the four home nations as seperate footballing entities..."If this is the case then why the hell do they have four associations and four votes and their own vice-presidency?
"This will put into question all the privileges that the British associations have been given by the Congress in 1946."
Eric Mc said:
And the Republic of Ireland might want a unified Ireland team as well
Already, the Republic allows Northern Ireland born sportsmen and women to represent the Republic in the Olympics, .
they do it with the rugby team too, however I think passions are still high which is one of the reasons for two national anthems. Hence you see half the team sing one and the other half sings the other after.Already, the Republic allows Northern Ireland born sportsmen and women to represent the Republic in the Olympics, .
My friend reckons it is one of the problems for Ireland as been seperated just before going on the field doesn't really bond them, he believes Ireland/Nor.Ire. should have an overall anthem for sporting events if they play as a single country
Dracoro said:
cjs said:
If we do need a GB team for 2012 then it should be made up of amateur players from the lower divisions.
Duh, it is already.(i.e. they must be amateurs).Edited by DrTre on Wednesday 6th August 09:54
Monki said:
Eric Mc said:
And the Republic of Ireland might want a unified Ireland team as well
Already, the Republic allows Northern Ireland born sportsmen and women to represent the Republic in the Olympics, .
they do it with the rugby team too, however I think passions are still high which is one of the reasons for two national anthems. Hence you see half the team sing one and the other half sings the other after.Already, the Republic allows Northern Ireland born sportsmen and women to represent the Republic in the Olympics, .
My friend reckons it is one of the problems for Ireland as been seperated just before going on the field doesn't really bond them, he believes Ireland/Nor.Ire. should have an overall anthem for sporting events if they play as a single country
Ireland has unified teams for a number of sports besides Rugby - cricket, hockey etc. It's mainly the middle/upper class games where the united teams survived. Soccer was always a working class game in Ireland and it was at working class levels where Unionists and Republican passions ran highest.
For Olympic purposes, Northern Irish players who have played hockey for Ireland are also eligible for playing for the British Olympic hockey team - and they have. They could also play for the Republic of Ireland hockey team - if they so wish.
mr ian m said:
surely the biggest issue would be the amount of representatives from wales, scotland, roi, and ni.
maybe 1 or 2 max from each, possibly none if the english players are fit. and then who manages them?
again like the British Lions, elect the best coach for the job via a commitee and take the best players availablemaybe 1 or 2 max from each, possibly none if the english players are fit. and then who manages them?
Monki said:
mr ian m said:
surely the biggest issue would be the amount of representatives from wales, scotland, roi, and ni.
maybe 1 or 2 max from each, possibly none if the english players are fit. and then who manages them?
again like the British Lions, elect the best coach for the job via a commitee and take the best players availablemaybe 1 or 2 max from each, possibly none if the english players are fit. and then who manages them?
The problem is Rugby is slightly even stevens in terms of skill and world rankings UK5, Wales6, IRE8, Scot9, so you can put together a squad of skilled experienced players on the same level.
Whereas in football there is a gulf in terms of rankings, so if the best are chosen, the majority will be from England and Scotland, which may upset some Irish and Welsh fans.
UK14, Scot16, NI32, Wales51.
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