SNP PROPOSE TEAM GB SOLUTION IN COMMONS.

SNP PROPOSE TEAM GB SOLUTION IN COMMONS. ‘PRETENCE THAT TEAM GB IS BENIGN MUST BE GIVEN UP’ SNP Culture, Media and Sport spokesperson Pete Wishart MP has called on the UK Government to consider sending four football teams to compete at the London 2012 Olympics after it emerged the SFA was warned by a FIFA delegation – including FIFA President Sepp Blatter – that a Team GB at the London Olympics would threaten the independence of Scottish football. These reports are at odds with claims by several Labour politicians, including Scotland Secretary Jim Murphy, that FIFA had given “reassurances” that a Team GB would not threaten Scotland’s footballing independence. At DCMS Questions in the Commons today (Monday), Mr Wishart put a workable solution to Culture Minister Andy Burnham who refused to even consider it. Speaking immediately after questions, Mr Wishart said: “Sepp Blatter has blown the gaffe and confirmed what we suspected all along – Team GB would endanger Scottish football. “The pretence that Team GB is a benign creation must be given up. It’s time to listen to those who know about football – the SFA, FIFA and the Tartan Army – and look for a workable solution which would allow Scotland to participate in her own right in 2012. “In 1908, the unique position of the home nations was recognised by the London Olympics and all four countries were invited to send a football team. If we are looking for an answer for London 2012, then let it be this one. Let's see the Scottish, Welsh, Northern Irish and English teams playing football with the rest of the world at London 2012. “Scotland’s national game is in danger. Now is not the time for petty point scoring but for working together to ensure its long term survival.”