Press Statement
15th December 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE USE
JOINT STATEMENT FROM:
The Association of Tartan Army clubs (ATAC - Scotland)
Football Supporters Federation (FSF - England)
Football Supporters Federation Cymru (FSF - Wales) and
Amalgamation of Official NI Fans Clubs (AONISC - Northern Ireland)
England National Team Under Threat From British Olympic
Association
The No Team GB campaign believes that the future of the England football team
has been put in jeopardy by the recent comments of Lord Moynihan, the BOA
chairman and former Olympic cox...
His push for a GB football team made up of players from England, Northern
Ireland, Scotland and Wales at the 2012 London Olympic games could spell the end
for the current independent status that the four home nations have in world
football. Previous calls for a joint GB football team at the 2012 Olympics have
been met with comments from FIFA and UEFA that this could put the independence
of the home nations under threat on the world stage.
Football managers across Britain are also aware of risks involved in such a
move. This was acknowledged by the football associations of all four countries
and the FAs of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales then made the decision not
to risk their futures by declining to become involved. This led to the English
FA agreeing that only English players would be considered for Team GB at the
2012 London Olympics.
Like Seb Coe before him, Lord Moynihan does not have any relevant experience of
football politics. The recent FIFA decision for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups
will have opened the eyes of Seb Coe to the inner workings of FIFA and the fact
that assurances for future votes cannot always be relied upon. At Prime
Minister�s Questions on 15 December 2010 David Cameron stated �My recent
experiences have taught me to stay away from international football�. Certain
figures within FIFA may take the opportunity to use a GB football team made up
of all four home nations to press forward their agenda to end the independence
of England and the other three nations.
The No Team GB campaign would suggest that that Lord Moynihan invites David
Cameron, Seb Coe and Andy Anson to BOA HQ for tea and biscuits and to get a feel
for the powers of world football. He will then realise that his suggestion for a
GB football team will have serious implications for all four home nations.
Implications that heavily outweigh putting an under 23 team into a future
Olympic competition.
The fans of all four home nations are standing shoulder to shoulder under
www.NoTeamGB.com to reject this suggestion from Lord Moynihan. Simon Johnston
from the Association of Tartan Army Clubs is quoted as saying �I find Lord
Moynihan�s comments extraordinary given the events of the past few weeks. The
England 2018 bid team were promised votes from seven or eight FIFA delegates but
only one delivered. What are their assurances worth? This clearly showed that
FIFA cannot be relied upon with the future of the four home nations. It really
is time that the BOA and the English FA put to bed the pipedream of Team GB. The
risks are just too high�.
Ken Malley of the Football Supporters� Federation said �Every survey of English
fans that we have done or seen has shown that the majority do not want a
combined GB team. Like the followers of the other Home Nations, fans of England
are concerned that this will set a precedent and that we may lose our
independent identities. Promises from people in authority that this will not
happen are not trusted by the fans. After recent events concerning the 2018 and
2022 World Cup bids, Lord Moynihan�s assertion that Sepp Blatter has reassured
the respective FAs of their continued autonomy is likely to be greeted with some
derision by the supporters.�
By retracting his suggestion, Lord Moynihan, who previously tried to force an ID
card scheme on British football fans, would show that he has the interests of
football supporters throughout the four home nations onside.
Contact Simon Johnston (07967 102588) or Ken Malley at [email protected]
(01288 381259 or 07976 034242)
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