The SFA have reiterated their opposition to a British Olympic team after Lord Moynihan pledged there would definitely be one at the 2012 Games.The British Olympic Association chairman has backed Lord Coe's bid to persuade Sir Alex Ferguson to coach the team in London.
Coe, who is chairman of the London 2012 Organising Committee, has already spoken to the Manchester United manager about the idea.
But the former Scotland manager would find himself picking a team of Englishmen if the football authorities in his home country, Wales and Northern Ireland maintain their stance.
The three associations are wary of the consequences for their independence within FIFA if a Great Britain side is formed for the under-23 tournament.
And SFA chief executive Gordon Smith has offered little room for manoeuvre.
"The Scottish FA's position on this issue remains the same - we are opposed to the concept of a British football team," Smith said.
"As we have said many times before, we feel that such a move would threaten the independent status of the home nations.
"Also, when we speak to our fan groups about this issue, they tell us that they are strongly opposed to the idea.
"As the governing body of football in this country, we will always do what is best for the sport here in Scotland.
"On a personal note, I feel that the Olympics should be the pinnacle of any sport and it is doubtful as to whether an age-restricted football competition in the Olympics would ever be able to rival the World Cup."
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politics aside, would we not have a better chance to win the olympics if we have an all-english team since they are all so used to playing along with each other.
When will they grow up? How would having a British under 23 football team at the Olympics in 2012 undermine the Independent home nations. What a complete load of cobblers. This is yet again a move from a Scottish public figure to stick two fingers up at England. When will they learn that the general British population hate all this unnecessary bickering. The English and Scots get on really well despite some public figures abusing there positions to try and whip up tension between our nations.
I also bring into question Gordon Smiths comment.... 'we speak to our fan groups about this issue, they tell us that they are strongly opposed to the idea'.... have they conducted a survey with conclusive evidence that this is really the case or has he just said this to back up his own opinion? I would not be surprised if you put this issue to the Scottish people the majority would be for a British football team for the Olympics. His comment seems as arrogant and wrong as the leader of the SNP who said the Scottish people would vote for Independence.
At every Olympic Games our countries work together to achieve amazing results, I personally feel if our Olympic football team in 2012 were just to be made up of English players it would almost taint the whole idea of that.
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