AFP - The British Olympic Association (BOA) have insisted their announcement paving the way for players from Scotland, Wales and Northern Irish players to take part in a combined team at the 2012 Games was not a ploy to shift more than a million unsold tickets.
There will be 1.7 million Olympic football tickets available when new sales start on Friday.
BOA chief executive Andy Hunt said: "There is absolutely no connection whatsoever between the timing of the announcement and (the new tickets)."
A BOA statememt released Tuesday said: "Consistent with requirements set out in the Olympic Charter, the selection criteria will be entirely non-discriminatory, as players from England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and other territories which fall under the BOA's remit, who meet the approved competitive standard will be eligible for consideration and selection.
"The FA has consulted with its partner associations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in developing the player-selection criteria and timeline."
But that suggestion of consultation was dismissed by the three countries.
England's Football Association is leading the 2012 campaign by nominating managers and players for selection and FA general secretary Alex Horne said Wednesday: "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 (football's world governing body) 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."
The men's team will have 18 players: 15 under-23s and three "open age" players. David Beckham has said he is keen to be involved, saying he would "love to be part of it".
The women's team also has 18 players but no age restrictions.
The managers have still to be chosen.
Scottish FA chief executive Stewart Regan said he had emailed Horne as recently as Monday night, stating his opposition, and that he was stunned to see Tuesday's announcement.
He said: "I sent Alex Horne an email saying we could not support or endorse the Team GB but that we recognised from a legal position we couldn't stand in the way of a player opting to play for Team GB.
"I asked if we could be kept in the loop. So to see an announcement came as a shock to me and all the other associations.
"None of us knew this was going to happen.
"We are very surprised and disappointed."
Officials in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have long been opposed to their players taking part in a British team, fearing it will be the start of a process that ends with them no longer recognised as independent football nations by FIFA.
Source: http://www.france24.com/en/20110622-...aign=DTN+Iran:
There will be 1.7 million Olympic football tickets available when new sales start on Friday.
BOA chief executive Andy Hunt said: "There is absolutely no connection whatsoever between the timing of the announcement and (the new tickets)."
A BOA statememt released Tuesday said: "Consistent with requirements set out in the Olympic Charter, the selection criteria will be entirely non-discriminatory, as players from England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and other territories which fall under the BOA's remit, who meet the approved competitive standard will be eligible for consideration and selection.
"The FA has consulted with its partner associations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in developing the player-selection criteria and timeline."
But that suggestion of consultation was dismissed by the three countries.
England's Football Association is leading the 2012 campaign by nominating managers and players for selection and FA general secretary Alex Horne said Wednesday: "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 (football's world governing body) 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."
The men's team will have 18 players: 15 under-23s and three "open age" players. David Beckham has said he is keen to be involved, saying he would "love to be part of it".
The women's team also has 18 players but no age restrictions.
The managers have still to be chosen.
Scottish FA chief executive Stewart Regan said he had emailed Horne as recently as Monday night, stating his opposition, and that he was stunned to see Tuesday's announcement.
He said: "I sent Alex Horne an email saying we could not support or endorse the Team GB but that we recognised from a legal position we couldn't stand in the way of a player opting to play for Team GB.
"I asked if we could be kept in the loop. So to see an announcement came as a shock to me and all the other associations.
"None of us knew this was going to happen.
"We are very surprised and disappointed."
Officials in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have long been opposed to their players taking part in a British team, fearing it will be the start of a process that ends with them no longer recognised as independent football nations by FIFA.
Source: http://www.france24.com/en/20110622-...aign=DTN+Iran: