Team GB

[jonny72]

The whole idea of getting the four home nations to compete in football as one (ie GB) is complete and utter bollocks and would never happen. I doubt many other countries would want it, all it would do is strengthen the England team - its not as if any of the other nations are a threat to anyone (how often do they qualify for tournaments).

The knock on effects would be horrendous and no one would want to go there. With it being the national sport it would have implications for the independence of the other nations. Can you see FIFA wanting to get involved with the Scottish independence debate, let alone Northern Ireland? What would happen if we had to compete as one nation and then Scotland gained independence?

It would also mean a single FA and single league structure. Cue law suits left right and centre from clubs, the FA's, the leagues, broadcasters and so on. It would be a massive mess that would be in the court system for years.

As regards only England players being selected, is it really that big a deal? I doubt many players from the other nations would have been selected anyway if it was done purely on ability. How many of their senior players would make the full England squad?

[axs]

Football should not be an Olympic sport for the simple reason that winning the Olympic Gold medal in football is not the pinnacle of the sport, in fact it means fuck all.

Get rid of it - now.

Please also get rid of anything where judges make a score based on their opinion (any non-boolean decision).

[4D]

Jonathan is not happy........again. 

[Spy]

Football should not be an Olympic sport for the simple reason that winning the Olympic Gold medal in football is not the pinnacle of the sport, in fact it means fuck all.

I agree. The olympics doesn't need football and football needs the olympics even less.

[BANGKOK RED]

Ok I realise the difference, but the team represents the UK, and is called Team GB, so it's their fault not mine!

Look on your passport: "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland"

A GB team would not include N. Ireland, and would therefore not represent the whole of the UK.

[BANGKOK RED]

saying that Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales would have no involvement.

OK, I have confused myself now. I may well be talking out of my arse.

[Spy]

Are you saying Northern Ireland is part of the UK but not part of Britain?

[BANGKOK RED]

Are you saying Northern Ireland is part of the UK but not part of Britain?

I think that's it DRS, that's what it say on my passport anyway and I'd take a passport as a reliable source.

[Spy]

I'm not DRS. I think the vast majority of protestant northern irelanders would consider themselves British even if the passports aren't the same. Not that I'm saying that fact alone makes it official.

[donkey]

Football should not be an Olympic sport for the simple reason that winning the Olympic Gold medal in football is not the pinnacle of the sport, in fact it means fuck all.

Get rid of it - now.

Please also get rid of anything where judges make a score based on their opinion (any non-boolean decision).

You've said that before, and I've agreed with you before.  I agree now too...with every word.

[donkey]

Are you saying Northern Ireland is part of the UK but not part of Britain?

That's correct.  It is also not a country, but a province.  Wales is a principality, England and Scotland are constituent countries.  And for what its worth, I'd happily have English independence, don't want a GB football team, enjoy a wide variety of cheese, ales, largers, porters and stouts.

[chalkies_shorts]

The sooner we rid ourselves of the cash drain that is Scotland, Wales and N Ireland  the better.

Well said.
Team GB would be English anyway. There are no players in the other 3 countries that woudl get in Team GB should such an abomination exist. Maybe Giggsy a couple of years ago but no others. There should be no Team GB - end of. 

[michael]

Go Team GB!!!

[Rich Pullen]

Well said.
Team GB would be English anyway. There are no players in the other 3 countries that woudl get in Team GB should such an abomination exist. Maybe Giggsy a couple of years ago but no others. There should be no Team GB - end of. 

Scotland, Norn Iron and Wales have good individual players. England won a World Cup on the basis of a team that worked instead on the stereotypical 'Best XI'.

[flammableBen]

Football should not be an Olympic sport for the simple reason that winning the Olympic Gold medal in football is not the pinnacle of the sport, in fact it means fuck all.

Get rid of it - now.

Please also get rid of anything where judges make a score based on their opinion (any non-boolean decision).

For gymnastics and stuff they should have difference seniority of judges. First judge decides if they deserve 1 point or not, second if they deserve 2 or not, third if they deserve 4 or not, forth if they deserve 8 or not and fifth if they deserve 16 or not.

Sorted.