Scotland vows opposition to Team Great Britain

Scottish Football Association chief executive Stewart Regan has insisted there will be no backing from his organisation for the proposed British Olympic football team at next year’s London Games.

Scottish Football Association chief executive Stewart Regan has insisted there will be no backing from his organisation for the proposed British Olympic football team at next year’s London Games.

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Officials in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have long been opposed to their players taking part in a British team, fearing it will be the start of a process that ends with them being no longer recognised as independent football nations by Fifa.

British Olympic Association chief executive Andy Hunt recently said he was "incredibly positive" of fielding a squad made up footballers from all four Home Nations at the 2012 Olympics.

But Regan, an Englishman who was formerly chief executive of county cricket club Yorkshire, was adamant the SFA's stance had not changed. "Our position remains: we are opposed to taking part in Team GB," he told. "I was surprised by Andy Hunt's comments," Regan added.

"We signed a letter to FIFA in 2009 which gave the (English) FA the right to represent the Home Nations as Team GB. We need to protect our identity and we have no interest in taking part.

"However, we're aware that any change of FIFA executive committee in the future can overturn that decision.

"Therefore, it's very important for us to maintain our independence.

Scotland has a seat at the FIFA table, it has a seat at the International FA Board under the banner of Scotland."