TUC supports motion for Olympics Team GB

Trades union leaders have given their backing to a Great Britain football team at the London 2012 Olympics.

The TUC Congress in London yesterday backed a motion by the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) saying the home nations should put aside their differences for a Team GB next year.

PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor said: “This will be a great opportunity for young players to experience the Olympics in the same way that people such as Lionel Messi have done in the past.

“Players such as Gareth Bale, Aaron Ramsey, Jonny Evans, Darren Fletcher and Charlie Adam could have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and they should not be denied this chance.” The Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish FAs oppose a British team, fearing it could threaten their separate status, but have been forced to accept they cannot stop their players from taking part.

The PFA motion at the TUC Congress said: “Devolution has played an important and progressive part in shaping modern Britain but these developments cannot and should not be allowed to fundamentally alter the great affinity that exists amongst British people as a whole.

“Of course there are those who are against such a union but Congress believes that on this special, once-in-a-generation occasion, we put aside any differences and get behind our men and women whether they be English, Scottish, Welsh or Northern Irish and ensure that we see Great Britain at its best.”