Scotland and Wales have reacted angrily to a BOA announcement that an agreement has been reached over a GB Olympic team.
BOA announces 'historic agreement' before Wales and Scotland respond
The British Olympic Association has announced that an agreement has been reached to allow players from all the home nations to be eligible for a Great Britain football team at London 2012, but the Welsh and Scottish Football Associations have reacted with fury.
There had previously been opposition to all-British teams taking part in next summer's Olympic Games from each of the Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish Football Associations.
But the BOA announced an "historic agreement" on Tuesday that will allow players from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to be eligible for selection.
A BOA statement read: "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.
Consultation
"The FA has consulted with its partner associations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in developing the player-selection criteria and timeline."
The process of selecting players will begin later this year while an announcement of the managers for both teams will be made in due course.
An announcement of the two squads will follow in the summer of 2012.
Great Britain have not had a team in the men's football tournament since 1960 and it will be the first time a British women's team will compete.
The men's squad will be 18 players, featuring 15 under-23s and three 'open age' players.
The announcement sparked outrage from the Scottish and Welsh Football Associations, though.
Outrage
SFA president George Peat said: "I am absolutely astounded that they have put out this statement. I know nothing about any such agreement and we want nothing to do with this tournament."
Welsh FA president Phil Pritchard was equally furious, saying the FA had no right to speak on behalf of the other associations on Olympic matters.
He added: "We are not part of any agreement. The FA have no authority to speak on our behalf - they do not represent Wales whatsoever and that's a fact.
"We have not discussed this at any time recently."
However, the BOA statement quoted FA general secretary Alex Horne as thanking the other FAs for their "understanding".
"It's important as the host nation, football plays its part in what is sure to be a fantastic spectacle," it read.
"We are pleased that the team will be selected from players across the home nations and I'd like to thank our counterparts at the Welsh, Irish and Scottish FAs for their understanding on what is a difficult issue.
"We will look to confirm coaches of the men's and women's teams in due course to allow them to plan and prepare their squads for the games."
