Tuesday 31 March 2015 09:51, UK
Exclusive by Bryan Swanson, Chief News Reporter
The Football Association has formally withdrawn its proposal to enter a Team GB Men’s and Women’s side at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
Jonathan Hall, FA Director of Football Services, has written to the other British associations after failing to receive their unanimous support.
FA officials say they proposed a Team GB in Brazil to promote youth development and offer younger players a chance to compete at a major international tournament.
But the plan was rejected by the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish FA, who believe Team GB's participation in the London 2012 Olympic Games was 'a one-off'.
Earlier this month, FIFA confirmed it would block an entry without the support of every British association.
Outgoing FIFA vice-president Jim Boyce, who raised the issue following a report by the organising committee for the Olympic Football Tournaments, said FIFA would not sanction a Team GB side without the support of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
"They confirmed to me that the British Olympic Association would not receive FIFA's permission to enter a Team GB football team without the consent of all four British associations.” Boyce told Sky Sports News HQ in Zurich. “FIFA has the final say on whether a football team can be entered for the Olympic Games."
Welsh FA president Trefor Lloyd Hughes launched an extraordinary attack on the FA before UEFA’s annual congress in Vienna last week.
“I think they want to take over everything,” Hughes told Sky Sports News HQ. “I think the English FA cannot accept, (or) believe in principles anymore.”
