The four British associations will be asked to submit plans for a unified 2012 Olympic soccer team in March, FIFA president Sepp Blatter said on Saturday. Speaking after a meeting of FIFA's executive committee, Blatter dismissed concerns in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales that fielding a unified team at the London Games could harm their status as independent footballing nations.
"We have had Scottish politicians sending letters to FIFA saying there was no way Scottish players would participate in a British team," Blatter told reporters. "Now if for the Olympic Games they have to play as one entity, we will ask them: 'Okay, bring us a solution.' We put the ball in their court. So, kick the ball back."
"We expect their solution by March 19 and 20 when we (FIFA's executive committee) meet in Zurich." Blatter has in the past suggested that Britain could select only English players to avoid endless negotiations. Britain, champions in 1908 and 1912, have not played in the men's Olympic soccer finals since 1960 and have never entered a women's team.
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown waded into the controversy on Friday by saying a British soccer team for 2012 was top of his Christmas wish-list. "The issue is very clear," he said. "We are hosting the Olympics in 2012 but despite the fact football is an Olympic gold medal sport, there would be no UK football team in 2012."
Brown said he had talked to Alex Ferguson about becoming coach of a British side, although the Manchester United manager said in July that a British team was a non-starter. The idea of a unified team has also been booted into touch by Scottish officials wary it would set a precedent and mean Britain having to enter a team in future FIFA competitions. The Olympic soccer tournament mainly comprises players aged Under-21 although up to three over-aged players can take part.