Boa Seeks Fifa Talks Over Olympic Football

The British Olympic Association is seeking talks with FIFA regarding the
participation of national football teams at the London 2012 Olympics after the
world football governing body blocked the England women’s national team from
competing in next year’s Beijing Games.

The BOA is concerned that FIFA’s decision not to allow participation at
Beijing is likely to create a precedent for involvement at London 2012.

FIFA has reasoned that the failure of the four British football associations
to come to an agreement over Olympic representation means they will not be able
to compete in Beijing.

However, the BOA had believed from previous talks with FIFA that they would
be allowed to enter a women’s team in Beijing and men’s and women’s sides in
2012.

A BOA spokesman said: ‘It is now all the more important that we get this
issue settled for 2012 as soon as possible. The big issue is our ability to have
host men’s and women’s teams in London. We had been under the impression that it
would not be a problem for Beijing or London so we are surprised and frustrated
at this latest development.

‘We need to resolve this with FIFA and the IOC pretty quickly and we will be
seeking a meeting with FIFA as soon as the women’s World Cup has finished.’

Sepp Blatter, the FIFA president, had previously said a British
representative side – possibly made up of English and Northern Irish players or
one that wins a home nations play-off – could compete in the Games.

The issue is complicated by the fact that Scotland and Wales do not want any
involvement in all-British Olympic team in case it threatens their identities
within FIFA.

FIFA said the onus was on the four home associations to come up with a
suitable arrangement for 2012.

A FIFA spokesman said: ‘This ruling is simply for Beijing, but as long as
there is no express agreement among the four British associations the status quo
remains. It is up to the four associations to figure out a satisfactory
arrangement for London in 2012.’