Dave Collins, general secretary of the FAW, said in an interview published in Wales on Sunday today that they will not cave into political pressure from the British Olympic Association to co-operate in Britain entering a team for London in 2012.

 

He said: “We have absolutely not altered our thinking on this matter and the fact is we won’t be entering a side.

 

“Scotland have said they would prohibit their players from playing, and to say we would do the same is exactly right; if we allowed players to play then they would be classed as Welsh players and Welsh representation and that is against our stance.”

 

All three Home Countries fear that they will lose their independence for tournaments like the World Cup and European Championships if they are agree to a Team GB for London.

 

He said: “There is a risk and it is not a risk we consider worth taking.

 

"And in this matter I think you will find we have the backing of the media, the spectators and most parties.

 

“This has been created by comments from the BOA but we don’t see it as any pressure and the fact is that Scotland, Northern Ireland and ourselves, and the peoples of the whole of these countries support our stance.”

 

The full article can be read at http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/footballnation/football-in-wales/2007/11/04/players-will-be-banned-from-gb-side-91466-20057491/.