English FA to contact potential Team GB squad this week

The footballing body will write to their shortlisted squad from all four home-nations, to ask them to represent the British side in the London Olympics next summer

14 Dec 2011 15:26:00

By Edward Tibbles

More On :  England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales
England under-21 manager Stuart Pearce (PA)

Players from all four home-nations will be contacted by the English FA this week to be asked if they will represent Team GB in next summer's Olympic Games in London.

The English FA have been given the job of shortlisting a potential squad, which England under-21 manager Stuart Pearce will take charge of.

The Football Associations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have opposed the idea, as they feel it could harm their standing as an independent nation within Fifa.

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Fans of the home nations have also been opposed to the idea of Team GB, with players such as Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey booed whilst on International duty with Wales due to their willingness to play in the games.

The FA must pick a squad from the four home-nations with the majority of players having to be under the age of 23, but they are allowed to register three players who are over this age.

Team GB have not been represented in an Olympic football competition since 1960 and will play at Old Trafford, Wembley and the Millennium Stadium during the games.

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