Home nations reach Olympics deal

Footballers from Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England will be available for selection for Team GB at the London 2012 Olympic Games after an "historic agreement" was announced by the British Olympic Association on Tuesday. There has been opposition to all-British teams taking part in the Olympic Games from all the home nations apart from England, but the BOA said an agreement has been reached. A BOA statement said: "Consistent with requirements set out in the Olympic Charter, the selection criteria will be entirely non-discriminatory, as players from England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and other territories which fall under the BOA's remit, who meet the approved competitive standard will be eligible for consideration and selection. The statement continued: "The FA has consulted with its partner associations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in developing the player-selection criteria and timeline." A 'long list' of players will be drawn up by the managers of the men's and women's teams and they will each be asked to confirm their availability. This will then be reduced to a shortlist and an announcement of the two squads will follow in the summer of 2012. The announcement sparked outrage from the Scottish and Welsh FAs. Scottish Football Association president George Peat told Press Association Sport: "I am absolutely astounded that they have put out this statement. I know nothing about any such agreement and we want nothing to do with this tournament." Welsh FA president Phil Pritchard was equally furious, saying the FA had no right to speak on behalf of the other associations on Olympic matters. Pritchard told Press Association Sport: "We are not part of any agreement. The FA have no authority to speak on our behalf - they do not represent Wales whatsoever and that's a fact. We have not discussed this at any time recently."

Source: PA