McMillan Welcomes SFA Boycott of Team GB

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP West of Scotland) has today (Friday) welcomed the news that the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish football association's have agreed that they would have no involvement at all in the Olympics and a Team GB.

Mr McMillan said;

"I am pleased to see that the football associations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have once again categorically said no to a Team GB.

"From the very outset the footballing authorities in Scotland and the Tartan Army have been dead set against the enforcement of a Team GB on Scotland.

"I am pleased that to see that Scotland will have no part in this London lead initiative.

"Once again Gordon Brown has ignored the will of the people in Scotland and imposed his wishes, thus, creating a team which no one wants out with England.

McMillan Slams Team GB Proposals

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP West of Scotland) has reiterated his anger and frustration at the Westminster Governments attempt to impose a Great Britain football team at the 2012 Olympics. Speaking to delegates at the SNP Conference Mr McMillan highlighted the 'earth scorching policies' being adopted at Westminster which could create a Team GB, against the will the majority of the Scottish people.

Mr McMillan said;

"I am disappointed and frustrated that the Labour Government is continuing to pursue the Team GB idea, against the will of the majority of Scottish people.

"The Prime Minister must stop his modern day earth scorching policy of assisting with the removal of Scottish organisations and listen to the people for once.

"I am pleased to see the SFA have stood firm in their disagreement with Team GB, even in the face of constant pressure and hope this continues."

McMillan Pleased with Craig Brown’s Petition

Stuart McMillan MSP, (SNP West of Scotland) has welcomed former Scotland manager Craig Brown’s petition in the Scottish Parliament opposing the creation of a GB football team for the 2012 London Olympics.

Mr. McMillan said;

"Craig Brown has a wealth of experience in both Scottish and international football and I am happy to support his petition.

"The Labour party, who seem hell bent on pushing forward the threat of a GB football team, should pay heed to his warnings. FIFA cannot guarantee Scotland's footballing independence if a UK football team goes ahead.

"The football authorities of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are opposed to a British Olympic side and have reaffirmed that they will not risk their status as independent football nations.

"Significantly, all four home nations' supporters associations are actively working together to oppose this irresponsible idea.

"With former Scotland coach Craig Brown fronting the 'No to Team GB' campaign, I hope this petition will make those in the Labour party and London listen to the Scottish people and reject this ridiculous idea".

LABOUR SPIN IS NO GUARANTEE OF SFA's INDEPENDENCE

Commenting on a claim by Labour of "reassurance" from FIFA that a UK football team at the next Olympics would not affect the independence of the Scottish national squad, SNP MSP Stuart McMillan, a member of the Scottish Parliament's football team, pointed out that if that were the case then why did the SFA want nothing to do with the project.

Mr McMillan also highlighted comments by FIFA President Sepp Blatter where he said that such a team would put the position of the independent UK associations into question.

On 9th March 2008 Sepp Blatter said:

"If you start to put together a combined team for the Olympic Games, the question will automatically come up that there are four different associations so how can they play in one team.

"If this is the case then why the hell do they have four associations and four votes and their own vice-presidency?

"This will put into question all the privileges that the British associations have been given by the Congress in 1946."

Commenting Mr McMillan said:

"Football is Scotland's national sport and the people of Scotland take great pride in supporting their national team. Labour may say it is okay to have a single UK team but the people who should really be listened to are the SFA and the Tartan Army."

"This is not a guarantee that the independence of the SFA and the other three national associations in the UK will not be threatened by a single UK football Olympic team. It is not in the gift of officials but all members of FIFA who could take away the SFA's independence.

"As the remarks of Sepp Blatter make clear the very creation of such a team would only add weight to the arguments of those who seek to take away that independence. He has acknowledged that it would raise questions amongst other FIFA members who would ask why Scotland should have its own independent representation in world football.

"All the national supporters' associations in the UK oppose this plan and a majority of the football associations want nothing to do with it.

"Maybe Labour thinks they can pull the wool over people's eyes by suggesting Sepp Blatter has some absolute power to protect the independence of the UK national associations.

"However, as Mr Blatter's comments in March show, a GB football Olympic side would undermine and jeopardise the Scotland national team's existence."

Notes

1. Sepp Blatter 's comments from 9th March 2008 can be read at the following links:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympics/football/7286011.stm
http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/scotland/Don39t-back-British-team-says.3858830.jp



2. A report showing the opposition of the SFA, Irish FA and Welsh Association is available here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7068231.stm



3. A joint press release by the Association of Tartan Army clubs (ATAC - Scotland), the Football Supporters Federation of England, the Football Supporters Federation Cymru and the Amalgamation of Official NI Fans Clubs opposing a single team is available here:
http://www.tartanarmyclubs.com/press_olympics.htm