British Isles Olympic team?

**tricky_colour** · 22/06/2011, 2:15 PM

For the football, seems a bit unfair Ireland having to take on England Scotland and Wales in a British team so why not have a British Isles team? Hic.

**the bear** · 22/06/2011, 2:26 PM

im not mad about being up against brazil, maybe we could join with them?

**Sullivinho** · 22/06/2011, 2:28 PM

Sure why not.

Consider it a dry run for the real thing. British Isles lifting the World Cup...you know it makes sense.

**bennocelt** · 22/06/2011, 3:51 PM

Originally Posted by tricky_colour

For the football, seems a bit unfair Ireland having to take on England Scotland and Wales in a British team so why not have a British Isles team? Hic.

U mean a Britain AND Ireland team, dont u

**Fixer82** · 22/06/2011, 4:35 PM

Originally Posted by the bear

im not mad about being up against brazil, maybe we could join with them?

One concurs

**greendeiseboy** · 22/06/2011, 5:54 PM

That would be interesting alright.

But it'll be funny to see the supporters of the same team having to be segregated from each other:-

The Scots from English
The Welsh from the English
We get on with everyone so we'd be okay.

And last but not least the Nordies segregated from everyone including themselves

**The Legend** · 22/06/2011, 6:26 PM

why not join up with Spain, they ahve a good team. Uk of B and NIrl v's Spainerland.
( I am assuming this entire thread is a p*stake)

**John83** · 22/06/2011, 7:18 PM

Originally Posted by tricky_colour

For the football, seems a bit unfair Ireland having to take on England Scotland and Wales in a British team so why not have a British Isles team? Hic.

Lay off the vermouth, t_c.

**DannyInvincible** · 22/06/2011, 10:51 PM

Being serious for a second, the IFA, FAW and SFA are opposing any UK team on the basis that they fear for the precedent it may set and their future independence as separate member associations of FIFA. But, if there indeed was a threat to the autonomy of the respective UK associations, shouldn't those in the FA also be fearing for their positions?

**ArdeeBhoy** · 22/06/2011, 11:01 PM

Well, if there was ever a 'GB FA', will give you one guess where it would be based and the region whose players would dominate....

**mastershake** · 22/06/2011, 11:55 PM

I'm up for it only on the condition that Amhrán na bhFiann be played followed by an arousing rendition of Flower of Scotland.

**Murfinator** · 23/06/2011, 12:03 AM

<- Rubbish forum thataway.

**BonnieShels** · 23/06/2011, 6:43 AM

Originally Posted by mastershake

I'm up for it only on the condition that Amhrán na bhFiann be played followed by an arousing rendition of Flower of Scotland.

Pervert.

**Lionel Ritchie** · 23/06/2011, 8:51 AM

British and Irish three Lions anyone?

(taxi!....)

**Junior** · 28/06/2011, 10:42 AM

Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

Being serious for a second, the IFA, FAW and SFA are opposing any UK team on the basis that they fear for the precedent it may set and their future independence as separate member associations of FIFA. But, if there indeed was a threat to the autonomy of the respective UK associations, shouldn't those in the FA also be fearing for their positions?

Was listening to a 5-Live interview last week and I cant recall if it was Seb Coe or the Uk Sports Minister but whoever it was, linked to the Olympic Committee said that they had received written assurances that a football Team GB would not represent any threat or issue to the FA, IFA, FAW or SFA.

This is an FA statement on the matter

Further to the BOA statement regarding the Team GB football at The Olympics, FA General Secretary Alex Horne said: "We have been very clear since the Olympic games were awarded to London that The FA is committed to Team GB football teams.

"We have been flexible in working with the BOA and other Home Nations regarding the makeup and selection for these teams being a collective of all home nations, or all English sides.

"It is clear that under the Olympic Charter there has to be a non-discriminatory selection process for all players. These are not The FA rules.

"We are sensitive to the concerns of the other Home Associations in relation to each of our individual identities, and we have been assured by FIFA there is no threat to each association. However, as an organisation The FA has been mandated by the BOA to organise a Men's and Women's team for the 2012 Olympic football tournament across the UK.

"All three associations have notified us in writing that they acknowledge that legally we are entitled to support the BOA in the selection process."

**seanfhear** · 29/06/2011, 8:18 PM

I could'nt see anyone getting upset if The Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland got together and enterted a team at the Olympics !

**Cymro** · 29/06/2011, 8:23 PM

Originally Posted by tricky_colour

For the football, seems a bit unfair Ireland having to take on England Scotland and Wales in a British team so why not have a British Isles team? Hic.

You forgot Northern Ireland being part of the British team.

Actually, you may as well call it the England + two more team since Bale and Ramsey will surely be picked. However the BBC commentators will probably forget that we're watching a British team and John Motson, Alan Shearer and even Alan Hansen will refer to the team as England at least 17 times per game.

It goes without saying that I'm against the British team, not because I believe our independent status would be compromised, but because the whole thing will be English-dominated and will result in the tired old chestnut: "If only ________ was English" being dragged up again and again and debated ad nauseam on 606 with Alan Green who like Hansen sounds absurd cheering for England whilst being clearly not English as detectable from his voice.