Fielding an all-English team for the London Olympics was suggested by FIFA president Sepp Blatter during a visit to Scotland last week.

 

The Scottish Football Association continues to be resolutely opposed to the idea of a British team as it believes there would be repercussions that would undermine Scotland's status not only as an independent footballing nation but also one that has a significant say in the way the game is run.

 

Wales are also against the idea.

 

Blatter's comments appeared to represent a change of stance as he had previously given assurances that the concept idea, which has already gained the backing of England and Northern Ireland, would not erode long-held privileges.

 

Moynihan made it clear he was still hopeful the Scots would have a change of mind in time for the Games.

 

He said: "Clearly there is a change of position from Mr Blatter but that does not alter our principle objective that we intend to send a men's and women's football team representing Team GB to the London 2012 Games.

 

"How that will be managed and organised will depend on ongoing conversations with the relevant Football Associations.

 

"We have complete commitment from the FA and hope the other home nations will agree to participate.

 

"If they don't then there will be no bar to any footballer in this country and we hope no bar would be imposed on them by their associations if they did take part because there are a lot of young people who are keen to have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of playing in that team and we will make sure they have that opportunity.

 

"I think it highly unlikely that footballers would participate in the team if the Scottish FA said they did not want them to.

 

"But I hope the Scottish FA would not take that view and I would hope that all footballers within the UK will have the opportunity to be selected."

 

The only player outside England to have so far embraced the idea of Team GB enthusiastically is Colin Gordon, the Scottish and Sunderland goalkeeper.