WALES: Let us all compete at 2012 Olympics; MPs'football plea.

Byline: By ED JAMES 

A MP will today ask for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to be allowed to enter separate football teams into the 2012 London Olympics after each FA ruled out supporting a Team GB.

The House of Commons will be told a combined British team will pose a threat to the future of Welsh, Scottish and Irish national teams.

SNP culture, media and sport spokesman Pete Wishart, backed by former Scotland manager Craig Brown, will urge Olympics minister Tessa Jowell to support backing for four national teams to be sent to the London Games.

Football Association of Wales treasurer Trefor Lloyd Hughes, from Anglesey, said he was concerned about the creation of a British team but predicted a plea to compete separately would fall on deaf ears.

He told the Daily Post: "We are seriously concerned that a combined British team could threaten the future of the Welsh team, with Britain potentially asked to have a combined team for other major competitions, like the World Cup.

"We have heard absolutely nothing from the International Olympic Committee about a united British team and had no reassurances about Wales' future independence if we took part.

"But I expect this appeal today to fail because there is no way they will allow us to compete separately."

Getting a British Olympic football team together for 2012 has become an ongoing political and sporting headache with the Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland football bodies opposing a joint squad in case it affects their status within governing body Fifa.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he wants to seemale and female teams playing in 2012.

But Wishart said: "It's time for the UK Government to desist with this absurd proposal and look at ways in which the situation can be resolved."

He added: "If we are looking for a solution for London 2012, then let it be this one, and let's see the Scottish, Welsh, Northern Irish and English teams playing football with the rest of the world at London 2012."

Asked if a Team GB would jeopardise the status of the four British associations, Fifa President Sepp Blatter has said: "In principle, I would say not."

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Team talk... FIFA President Sepp Blatter