28/01/07

"No matter the risks to Scottish football, Gordon Brown is absolutely determined to ingratiate himself with England's South East voters in pushing a UK Olympic football team", said Jim Fairlie*, Free Scotland candidate in Perth.

He continued, "A UK Olympic football team should be an absolute non starter for Scottish football fans. There are many countries who view the separate involvement of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in FIFA competitions as an anachronism, who view the influence that the 4 countries have over the administration, decision making and rule setting at the highest levels in UEFA and FIFA committees with great envy and suspicion.”

“If we agree to a united football team for the London Olympics we would be playing into the hands of those who want one team to represent the 4 countries, it would be the start of a slippery slope to Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland disappearing out of international football.”

“When FIFA was formed in 1904, there were only 7 European sides involved, England joined in 1905 and Scotland (1910), Wales (1910) and Ireland (1911) joined shortly after."

"At that point, FIFA were glad of increasing membership. Much has changed since the 1900s. There are 207 football associations affiliated to FIFA today, compared to 192 members of the UN. There has been a huge increase in recent years in affiliated associations with the collapse of the Soviet Union, disintegration of Yugoslavia and other world events, for instance between 1975 and 2002 alone, more than 60 associations were accepted as members."

“Scotland is not unique in being a member of FIFA that is not an independent country, England, Wales and Northern Ireland are the most obvious examples but others include Andorra, San Marino, Macau and Hong Kong.”

“Over the years, the Scottish football team has had some great moments, and the odd bad moment, but importantly it has been a focal point for Scottish players and Scottish football supporters and has flown the flag in many parts of the world that otherwise would have no idea that Scotland trapped in Britain and the EU even existed.”

“Free Scotland agrees with the SFA. Scotland should, under no circumstances, commit to a united side at any level. Gordon Brown should not sell out on Scottish football.”

* In the May election to the Scottish Parliament, Jim Fairlie is the Free Scotland candidate in Perth constituency and first on the Free Scotland list for the Mid Scotland & Fife region.

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