THE Prime Minister today insisted that a British football team could take part in the 2012 Olympics without damaging the independence of football bodies in the four home nations.

Graham Dines

THE Prime Minister today insisted that a British football team could take part in the 2012 Olympics without damaging the independence of football bodies in the four home nations.

Fears have already been voiced in Scotland over the potential creation of a Great Britain team for the London Olympics, claiming it could damage Scotland's status as an independent team at international level. The Scottish FA has said it is “resolute” in its opposition.

Asked at a Downing Street press conference what he wanted for Christmas, Mr Brown said with a smile: “That we have an Olympics team for the 2012 Olympics that is a football team from Britain.

“We are hosting the Olympics in 2012, but at the moment, despite the fact that football is an Olympic gold medal-winning sport, there would be no UK football team in the 2012 Olympics.”'

Mr Brown said the issue was whether the independence of the England, Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland football associations could be guaranteed while fielding a team for "this unique occasion when Britain was hosting the Olympics.

“There is a way round this problem, and I think the way round this problem can be found if people can get round the table and discuss it.”

He said suggestions so far included holding the first match of a tournament at Hampden Stadium in Glasgow. “Sebastian Coe and I have talked to Alex Ferguson about the possibility that he might want to be the manager.”