The European Club Association (ECA), 136 of whose 197 members attended their general assembly in Geneva, says it totally opposes players being forced to take part in Euro 2012 in Ukraine and Poland as well as the London Games.

The Olympic eligibility rule allows for three over-age players, the rest being 23 or under and there have been constant questions about whether Britain will be represented by a cross-section of players from all four national home associations or just from England.

Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have all stated they will not take part in a unified team for fear of compromising their individual memberships of FIFA.

Now Games organisers have another barrier to overcome. ECA vice-president Umberto Gandini says the time scale between the two summer tournaments is too short to expect clubs to release elite players for both events - and hopes to avoid any conflict.

"We do not think it is appropriate that European players will play in the European championship finals and then some of the same players will be involved in the Olympics in London a few weeks later," he told a news conference here at the end of the ECA's two-day assembly.

"It does not make sense for a club player to be involved in two major tournaments in such a short period of time.

"We have appealed to UEFA to say that if a player is selected for Euro 2012, he should not be selected for the Olympics.

"As the Olympics are not part of the international calendar we are going to face the same situation we did in 2008 where there will be requests for release of players where the clubs have other activities going on. We hope we can discuss this without getting into conflict as we did in 2008."

Manchester United's chief executive David Gill, and ECA board member whose Old Trafford ground will stage matches nine matches during the men and women's tournaments, agreed.

Four European teams will take part in the 16-team men's event, including Britain as hosts, and Gill said: "A player who is in the squad for Euro 2012 should not then be in the Olympic squad.

"Football is a key part of the Olympics and we are very happy to participate as a League and release players, and we support it, it will happen - but I hope that common sense will prevail."


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