FIFA: GB team 'no problem'

Tony Blair has quizzed FIFA president Sepp Blatter on the prospect of a Great Britain football team making an historic appearance at the 2012 Olympics if London is awarded the Games.

Blatter revealed that during yesterday's meeting at Downing Street, Blair specifically asked whether it would be a problem for the world governing body if England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland competed as one team.

Scotland and Northern Ireland have both expressed concerns that some other countries might question their individual participation at World Cups if they see a British Olympic team.

But Blatter said: "I told him it was not a problem for us."

The Prime Minister brought up the Olympic bid at the short meeting with Blatter, who is also a member of the International Olympic Committee which will decide on the 2012 venue in July next year.

Although no official lobbying of IOC members is not allowed yet, Blair was permitted to mention the campaign briefly to Blatter since he is FIFA president.

The fact that the Prime Minister focused on 'Team GB' shows how the momentum is building for the first united team to compete at the Games since 1960. As Standard Sport revealed yesterday, the issue was discussed at the weekend when officials from the four home nations came to London for FIFA meetings.

There is still a lot of negotiating to be completed, notably on how the team would be picked. But bid officials are keen for a deal to be struck before the IOC vote.