The Scottish FA, along with its counterparts in Wales and Northern Ireland, have said they do not want to take part in a Team GB for London because they fear it will jeopardise their independent status for events like the World Cup and European Championships.

 

In an interview published today in the Strathspey & Badenoch Herald, Brown said: "In the end it is a matter for the British Olympic Association and all the different football associations – the British Government can not dictate that – but obviously if we are hosting the Olympics, we want to have as wide a reach of successes as possible."

 

Sepp Blatter, the FIFA president, recently appeared to go back on a promise that if the four Home Countries joined together for a special one-off event that they would not put in danger their independence.

 

At a meeting in Gleneagles last month he urged the four British associations to select only English players for their joint team at the 2012 London Olympics to avoid "endless problems" in the future.

 

But Brown said he did not believe this would be the case.

 

He said: "I don't think so.

 

"It is important that we remind people that we respect the independence of the football associations."

 

SNP politicians, however, have warned that they will not back any plans for the Scottish FA to co-operate.

 

Highlands and Islands SNP MSP David Thompson said: "I think a British football team in London 2012 could be the start of a very slippery slope which could lead to the demise of the four national teams in the UK and World Cup – so I am surprised Mr Brown did not speak out against this.

 

"I know that the SFA, Welsh and Northern Ireland FAs are concerned about this too.

 

"For a long time a number of other European countries have questioned why the UK should have four teams in major tournaments, and having a British team in the Olympics would give them strong ammunition."

 

The full article can be read at http://www.strathspey-herald.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/2692/PM_shows_he's_a_Union_man.html.