ALEX FERGUSON EXPRESSES DOUBT OVER TEAM GB.

ALEX FERGUSON EXPRESSES DOUBT OVER TEAM GB.

PM SHOULD ABANDON FOOLISH PLAN SAYS WISHART

SNP Culture, Media and Sport Spokesperson, Pete Wishart MP, has welcomed the news Manchester United Manager Alex Ferguson will not manage Team GB at the London 2012 Olympics.

Speaking to Inside United Magazine, Mr Ferguson said he planned to retire from international football before the 2012 Olympics and he doubted Team GB would ever be a reality.

Commenting, Mr Wishart said:

“Gordon Brown’s dream of a Team GB is unravelling. Earlier this year, he said Alex Ferguson’s involvement could help “bring the Scots on board”. Today’s rejection is a slap in the face for the Prime Minister.

“Alex Ferguson joins the long list of football experts who do not believe Team GB is a realistic proposition.

“All UK national team fan associations plus the Football Associations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have expressed their opposition. In addition, football experts including UEFA General Secretary David Taylor, former FIFA Vice-President David Will and Scotland manager George Burley have cautioned against Team GB, all believing that a UK team at London 2012 could threaten the involvement of Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland as individual nations at future World Cups and European Championships.

“There is a clear precedent for allowing all four home nation football teams to participate in the Olympics. It’s time for the Prime Minister to stop playing politics with Scotland’s national side. He should listen to the experts and abandon his foolish plans for Team GB immediately.”