Press Statement
29 May 2009
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)
Fans Blast U-Turn on Team GB
The No Team GB campaign today launched a scathing attack towards the Football
Associations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland as it was revealed they
will set aside their previous objections and will allow an all England team to
participate in the 2012 Olympics, badged up as a Team GB.
Spokesman Tam Ferry said;
�We are shocked and disgusted with this U-turn and apparent endorsement of a
Team GB.
It was only 2 months ago that the SFA, IFA and FAW sent a joint letter to FIFA,
BOA and the FA, stating categorical opposition to the creation of a Team GB
Football team. Furthermore the SFA, IFA and FAW explicitly mentioned they would
not participate in any more discussions on this topic.
Given this statement of intent, we were astonished to find out that there was a
secret meeting of the 4 FA�s to discuss Team GB.
The decision to remove their opposition and thus allowing England to play as
Team GB sets a dangerous precedent which could lead to the end of our identities
as independent international football nations.
The 4 FA�s clearly fail to realise that this decision could not only end up
costing them their positions and could also be the beginning of the end of the
Scottish, English, Wales and Irish FA�s.�
He continued;
�This is not the end of the fight. The very futures of our independent
International teams are at stake here.
The England and Scotland - two oldest international teams - along with Northern
Ireland and Wales could disappear forever if FIFA decide to vote through a
change to the special privileged articles which allows the teams to participate,
despite not meeting entry requirements to FIFA.
The fans, the REAL football fans of the 4 countries will be convening a meeting
in Newcastle next month to decide the next steps in the fight to preserve their
independence.�
ENDS
Press Contacts:-
Tam Ferry (NoTeamGB.com Scotland) 07984 510033
Ken Malley (NoTeamGB.com England) 07976 034242
Paul Corky (NoTeamGB.com Wales) 07903 619654
Gary McAllister (NoTeamGB.com Northern Ireland) 07760 233011
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