altNOVEMBER 2 - ALEX SALMOND (pictured here on right), Scotland's First Minister, has backed his country's unwillingness to be part of a British football team for the 2012 Olympics.

 

In an interview with The Herald, he said: "I am with the SFA (Scottish Football Association) and I think they are absolutely correct.

 

"I don't think anybody in their right mind would want to potentially sacrifice or jeopardise Scotland's place in international football for the sake of one or two players in a tournament that is an under-23 competition.

"I think the SFA are absolutely right and I don't think any Olympic body has any right to make announcements over the heads of the SFA, Welsh FA and the Northern Irish FA."
 
Craig Gordon, the Scotland No.1, has been the only player to publicly support the idea.
 
Walter Smith, the Rangers manager, believes players would relish the opportunity.
 
Gordon Strachan, his Celtic counterpart, has declined to enter the debate.
 
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