PRIME MINISTERS CHRISTMAS WISH FOR TEAM GB REJECTED BY WISHART.

PRIME MINISTERS CHRISTMAS WISH FOR TEAM GB REJECTED BY WISHART.

SNP Culture, Media and Sport Spokesperson, Pete Wishart MP has expressed disbelief at the Prime Minister’s continued insistence that the creation of a Team GB would not endanger football in the home nations.

Speaking at his weekly press conference, the Prime Minister told journalists that forming a Team GB to compete in the Olympic football tournament in 2012 was top of his Christmas list.

Commenting, Mr Wishart said:

“At a time when ordinary people are struggling to make ends meet, it’s a pity Gordon Brown can’t think of a more worthy Christmas wish than endangering the future of the Scottish national team.

“Gordon Brown is attempting to foist a British Olympic football team on national football authorities and fans who firmly reject the notion.

“Significantly, all four home nations’ supporters associations are actively working together to oppose this irresponsible idea.

“Some FIFA member countries have attempted on a number of occasions to remove the privileges of the home nations and force them to play as one international side.

“FIFA officials are simply not in a position to guarantee their members agree that a one-off Olympic team will not risk the four home nations’ position as individual members. It is a democratic organisation that is bound by the votes of the associated members.

“In any case, FIFA President Sepp Blatter has made it clear that a British Olympic side would put at risk the future of Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland as independent teams.

“Gordon Brown should listen to the football fans of all four nations, the Celtic FAs and experienced individuals such as UEFA General Secretary David Taylor, former FIFA Vice-President David Will, SFA President George Peat and Scotland manager George Burley who all warn that a British team at London 2012 would set a precedent that could stop Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland playing at future World Cups and European Championships as individual nations.

“The Prime Minister clearly does not care about the future of Scottish football. I would urge anyone who does to sign former Scotland Manager Craig Brown’s e-petition, currently before the Scottish Parliament.