Team GB Football team

Team GB is the Great Britain and Northern Ireland Olympic Team. It is the UK team consisting of athletes from the nations of the UK (Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England). The UK participates as a single country in most sports except, from 1972, the world’s oldest and most popular – football. (There was a Team GB team represented at the Olypmics from from 1908 to 1972)

It was announced today that a Team GB football squad will take part in the London 2012 Olympics. It may seem strange, but this announcement to enter a Team GB football has caused a row even though the team could include players from all four UK nations Why?

Some people think that having Scottish, Welsh, or English footballers in ‘Team GB’ might jeopardise each nations separate status. All three have their own football teams representing their country. If they merge, some people are concerned that these national teams will disappear.

“Mr Sutcliffe (sports minister) said football’s international ruling body FIFA had given written assurances that a UK side in 2012 would not affect the national teams.” Press Association

Personally, I feel a Team GB football team is a great idea as it would consist of the best players from each of the nations. However, I do not agree with an all English Team GB. If UK team is to be enter then it must represent all nations in the UK.

“A UK football team will take part in the London 2012 Olympics even if it consists entirely of English players, says sports minister Gerry Sutcliffe”

England is not Team GB in the same way that England is neither Great Britain nor the United Kingdom.

Links
BBC News report on the announcement

The difference between England, Britain and the UK

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