BOA chief denies Olympic football ticket 'stunt'

The British Olympic Association (BOA) have insisted their announcement paving the way for players from Scotland, Wales and Northern Irish players to take part in a combined team at the 2012 Games was not a ploy to shift more than a million unsold tickets. There will be 1.7 million Olympic football tickets available when new sales start on Friday.
BOA chief executive Andy Hunt said: "There is absolutely no connection whatsoever between the timing of the announcement and (the new tickets)." A BOA statememt released Tuesday said: "Consistent with requirements set out in the Olympic Charter, the selection criteria will be entirely non-discriminatory, as players from England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and other territories which fall under the BOA's remit, who meet the approved competitive standard will be eligible for consideration and selection. "The FA has consulted with its partner associations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in developing the player-selection criteria and timeline." But that suggestion of consultation was dismissed by the three countries.