INDEPENDENCE OF UK FOOTBALLING ASSOCIATIONS

Early day motion 1975, tabled 22 June 2011 by Jonathan Edwards (Plaid Cymru). Signed by 8 members.

That this House notes the grave concerns expressed by many supporters, players and the Football Associations of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland following the decision of the British Olympic Association (BOA) and the English Football Association (FA) to enter a Great Britain Football Team in next year's Olympic Games; calls for the British Olympic Association to withdraw the misleading press release that calls the BOA and FA deal an historic agreement when three of the four footballing associations remain implacably opposed; believes that a single United Kingdom football representative team playing in the Olympic Games represents a threat to the football independence of Wales, England, Scotland and Northern Ireland; further notes previous attempts from Jack Warner and other FIFA members to merge the four associations; welcomes reassurances from Sepp Blatter that the independence of these footballing nations is not currently under threat but notes widespread media concern, including from many Team GB supporters, about the alleged behaviour of some FIFA officials and does not believe that previous reassurances are sufficient to provide peace of mind with regards to any future consequences which may arise from a Team GB football side representing the four associations; supports the continuation of four independent associations; and looks forward to a successful Olympic Games.

Signatures by party: Labour 4, Plaid Cymru 3, Scottish National Party 1.