English FA backs British team
Source: Agencies |
June 23, 2011, Thursday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
THE home nations who object to an all-British football team at the 2012 London Olympics accept they can't stop their players featuring in the tournament, the English Football Association said yesterday.
The British Olympic Association announced on Tuesday that players from England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are eligible to play for Team GB (Great Britain) following an "historic" agreement with the English FA.
That angered the Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish associations, who reiterated their objections to their players being selected.
However, FA General Secretary Alex Horne said his organization was acting within the rules.
"It is clear that under the Olympic Charter, there has to be a non-discriminatory selection process for all players. These are not the FA rules," Horne said. "All three associations have notified us in writing that they acknowledge that legally we are entitled to support the BOA in the selection process."
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have been blocking plans to have combined British teams at the Olympics because they don't want to jeopardize their status as separate teams in UEFA and FIFA events.
The BOA said the four British associations have been assured by FIFA that combined British team for the men's and women's competitions "will in no way compromise their autonomy and independence ... nor have any impact on their positions of leadership within the FIFA governance structure."
Despite their stance, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have said their players would be free to participate at the Olympics without fear of sanctions.
Britain last competed with a men's soccer team at Rome in 1960 and won gold medals in 1900, 1908 and 1912. British women have never taken part in the soccer tournament at a Games.
Eighth South Korean
Meanwhile Ji Dong-won is set to become the eighth South Korean to move to the English Premier League after his K-League club Chunnam Dragons announced yesterday that the striker has reached a deal with Sunderland.
The 20-year-old Ji has scored six goals in 11 games for South Korea and is seen as one of Asia's top prospects. Chunnam said in a statement on its website that "Ji Dong-won is going to Sunderland and has agreed a three-year contract."
South Korean media reports said the transfer fee is around 3.8 billion won (US$3.5 million).
Also, Barcelona says it has received an offer from AS Roma for striker Bojan Krkic.
Barcelona spokesman Toni Freixa says the club is "evaluating" the bid for the Spain under-21 forward, who has mostly been used off the bench since the arrival of coach Pep Guardiola three seasons ago.
Roma recently signed former Barcelona "B" team coach Luis Enrique as its manager for next season.
Freixa declined to speak about Chile forward Alexis Sanchez, who is likely to join the Spanish and European champion from Udinese.
The British Olympic Association announced on Tuesday that players from England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are eligible to play for Team GB (Great Britain) following an "historic" agreement with the English FA.
That angered the Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish associations, who reiterated their objections to their players being selected.
However, FA General Secretary Alex Horne said his organization was acting within the rules.
"It is clear that under the Olympic Charter, there has to be a non-discriminatory selection process for all players. These are not the FA rules," Horne said. "All three associations have notified us in writing that they acknowledge that legally we are entitled to support the BOA in the selection process."
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have been blocking plans to have combined British teams at the Olympics because they don't want to jeopardize their status as separate teams in UEFA and FIFA events.
The BOA said the four British associations have been assured by FIFA that combined British team for the men's and women's competitions "will in no way compromise their autonomy and independence ... nor have any impact on their positions of leadership within the FIFA governance structure."
Despite their stance, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have said their players would be free to participate at the Olympics without fear of sanctions.
Britain last competed with a men's soccer team at Rome in 1960 and won gold medals in 1900, 1908 and 1912. British women have never taken part in the soccer tournament at a Games.
Eighth South Korean
Meanwhile Ji Dong-won is set to become the eighth South Korean to move to the English Premier League after his K-League club Chunnam Dragons announced yesterday that the striker has reached a deal with Sunderland.
The 20-year-old Ji has scored six goals in 11 games for South Korea and is seen as one of Asia's top prospects. Chunnam said in a statement on its website that "Ji Dong-won is going to Sunderland and has agreed a three-year contract."
South Korean media reports said the transfer fee is around 3.8 billion won (US$3.5 million).
Also, Barcelona says it has received an offer from AS Roma for striker Bojan Krkic.
Barcelona spokesman Toni Freixa says the club is "evaluating" the bid for the Spain under-21 forward, who has mostly been used off the bench since the arrival of coach Pep Guardiola three seasons ago.
Roma recently signed former Barcelona "B" team coach Luis Enrique as its manager for next season.
Freixa declined to speak about Chile forward Alexis Sanchez, who is likely to join the Spanish and European champion from Udinese.
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