SNP SECURE COMMONS DEBATE ON TEAM GB.

SNP SECURE COMMONS DEBATE ON TEAM GB.

MP TO TELL MINISTER: 1908 PRECEDENT AN OBVIOUS SOLUTION.

SNP Culture, Media and Sport Spokesperson, Pete Wishart MP has secured a Westminster Hall debate in the House of Commons on Tuesday where he will press the Olympics Minister, Tessa Jowell to consider sending four teams to the London 2012 Olympics.

Former Scotland Manager Craig Brown and representatives of the Tartan Army will also be in attendance to make their opposition to Team GB known.

Commenting, Mr Wishart said:

“The creation of a Team GB would endanger Scotland’s long term ability to compete in international football. The SFA are opposed, the Tartan Army are opposed and the Former Scotland Manager Craig Brown is opposed. It’s time for the UK Government to desist with this absurd proposal and look at ways in which the situation can be resolved.

SNP research revealed that in the 1908 London Olympics, Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland all competed as individual countries. Mr Wishart said:

"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.

"That position should be recognised in 2012 with a revival of the practice for the London Games.

"If we are looking for a solution for London 2012, then let it be this one, and let's see the Scottish, Welsh, Northern Irish and English teams playing football with the rest of the world at London 2012.

"In 1908 the SFA could not afford to send a team! If the London Olympics make the offer for 2012 I think we can safely say Scotland would be there.

"Instead of trying to forge a GB football team that simply does not exist the London Olympics offers an opportunity to revive previous practice at a London Games, to preserve and promote Scotland's national team and to allow all four home nation teams to compete.

“The future of Scotland’s national game must be assured.”