Allardyce keen to see Team GB line up at future Games

England manager Sam Allardyce wants to see the return of Team GB football sides. Picture: PA

Britain entered teams for men and women into London 2012, but home nations associations insisted that was purely to support the host nation.

Team GB was unable to enter either men’s or women’s teams at Rio 2016, but now new England manager Allardyce believes that should change in future.

Asked if he regrets Team GB’s absence from the football in Rio, Allardyce said: “I do personally yes.

“I think it’s a fantastic  venue, once every four years and to turn it down is a great shame.”

The English FA lobbied to send teams to Rio but was unable to secure the support of the other nations comprising Britain, who fear such a move could impact upon their independent status within Fifa.

But Allardyce added: “When you see the delight on Justin Rose’s face when he won the gold medal in golf it shows what it all means. It’s something we may look at in the future and try to compete in.”

This year’s men’s final was held at the Maracana on Saturday night, with hosts Brazil beating Germany on penalties.

The match had finished 1-1 after Neymar put Brazil ahead with a superb free-kick in the 26th minute and then Germany captain Maximilian Meyer equalised on the hour mark.

In the shoot-out the first eight players all scored, before Brazil’s Weverton saved Nils Petersen’s strike. That left superstar Neymar to convert the gold medal-winning penalty.