If FIFA want to disband the home nations, they'll do it. They don't need an excuse. They have the power to do it and it will be done. I very much doubt that a couple of football players playing in Team GB will be what tips the decision over the edge. Team GB is a group of under 23s playing to try and win a medal. It's hardly professional football at the very top level and could never be classed as an example if they replace the home nations. However, it is a fantastic way for these players to play against the best of their age group, play a couple of 'seasoned professionals' from each participating country, and to experience the feel and format of a high level international competition. To me, it sounds like a great way for Allen and Taylor to kick onto the next level of their development. Now if the Olympics wasn't an age-restricted tournament and all the 'over 23s' were allowed to compete, there would then be a true example that FIFA could point to when suggesting/implementing a Team GB for all FIFA international competitions. It isn't though. I think the FAW, IFA, and SFA are making a meal of this. I know I won't change your mind though!
If people think FIFA are corrupt, are we right then to beleive their assurances about the home nations? That is the question being posed by the celtic footballing nations, would that be a fair assumption. Or are we to beleive that those saying FIFA are corrupt are just scaremongering and as upstanding individuals FIFA would never threaten the existence of the british footballing nations that is the question you need to have answered. personally i will go with the former and support the celtic nations, FIFA do not have a good track record, at least the FAW are putting a fight up for Wales
kidderz i have been waiting for this subject to come along, i know this thread was a rumour thread but i thought joe has put himself up for selection here is my chance, nobody will ever change my mind on this, but to be fair it has kept this thread ticking along nicely and some good debate has been had as well. valleyswan we shall have to agree to disagree. on this
And for those in any doubt i like young joseph very much( in a footballing sense mind )and i am very proud of his acheivements at our club. he is still only worth 5million tho
Haha, as soon as I saw your signature text I knew this would either be a fight to the death, or agree to disagree! I'm getting out early because I'm too young to die!
You should remember that when you put a response up, it's a forum people are allowed to have opinion that doesn't necessary matches yours, I put an opinion up the other day and I think it was you who threw out your toys and put it exactly that I am argumentative .
Can I ask what part has Sepp Blatter said that we will become TeamGB if we don't have 5 votes in FIFA ? Over representation is what he is talking about, there are over 150 countries in FIFA I believe or there abouts, we have 5 votes how is that fair ? I can't see losing votes will mean we will lose our identities, what I see is myopic people frightened that they will have less of say on the world stage.
Mabs... good to see you back on top form (been a long time coming). I'm leaving this one in your more than capable hands... he does my swede in (sorry Valley!)
Where is the threat to the home nations in this, there has never been anything that I have ever seen that they will be amalgamated into one team, it's all about votes and nothing else.
I am sorry to see that you are not open to debate swimaway I will remember that next time I'm on a thread with you.
Something from about 3 or 4 years ago, and there have been things since then that indicate that is not the stance now. But as I said earlier in the thread, it's nothing to do with the FAW if welsh players decide to put themselves forward to the olympics, the competition is not sanctioned by FIFA so it has nothing to do with the federations. I find it sad that you will not back any of these players to play for Wales in future, it makes you wonder if you would back the swans players in our team.
**** it.... red rag to a bull you chopsy little X%$&$ !!! http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/tou...egulations_gov_international_matches_2011.pdf Article 7 of FIFA regulations stipulate that any player in a Scratch International team needs the express permission of their own governing body before playing. The English FA have decided to say 'f u' to the agreement in 2009 between the four nations, that the 2012 team would be mde up of English players. They have actively touted players from outside England, despite them agreeing otherwise in 2009. In 2009, they fully understood the potential threat to the home nations. As Great Britain is the host nation of the 2012 Olympics it gains automatic qualification for all the events at the games, including football, which it would usually be illegible to enter (hence we haven't entered before). If team GB was to do well or even win the Olympic event, it could be suggested by the Olympic Association that the UK should re-enter the competition, this could only be done if the UK was to scrap national teams and play as the UK in both FIFA and UEFA competitions due to how qualification is organized. No guarantees have been given by UEFA or FIFA that this will not happen. Hence my standpont.
I find it a bit extremist too Valley , to ATTEMPT to ban a player from playing for Wales because he took his chance to play for Great Britain in the Olympics is .... well at the very least , a court case against whoever ATTEMPTS to bring the ban to bare
let the welsh players play as its a great opertunity for them..what can fifa do...ban wales from international football??? It wont happen because if they ban us then they will have to ban England as well......can you ever see that happening eh...The home of football england banned from playing international football.....dont worry about it it wont happen we have been given the ok to play for GB so let them get on with it and enjoy....
But swimaway GB is not a country according to Mabon and FIFA , so it's not an international match just amateur team assembled to play in an amateur competition organised by the IOC , so not sanctioned by FIFA . So nothing to do with them. And swimaway try debating without the insults, it lessons your arguments and makes you look silly