Burley voices opposition to British football team proposal

SCOTLAND manager George Burley insists the Scottish Football Association remain steadfast in their opposition to the idea of a combined Great Britain team competing in the 2012 London Olympics.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown became the latest high-profile figure to champion the idea while insisting his fellow Scot Sir Alex Ferguson could take charge of the side.

However Burley, speaking at the opening of Falkirk's new football centre based at Stirling University, reiterated the SFA's and his own opposition.

He said: "It's been black and white from day one with the SFA.

"The national team comes first and at the moment we are keen to keep our nationality intact.

"We have to have a national Scottish team and we can't put that in jeopardy so there has been no change."

Burley is also opposed to the idea of a home international competition with the champions representing Britain at the London Games.

He said: "That's all hypothetical.

"The problem with international games is getting dates for them so it doesn't even come into the equation."