GB Olympic soccer team likely to be all English

LONDON: A soccer team representing Britain will compete in the 2012 London Olympics even if it contains only English players, Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe said on Tuesday.

The Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish football associations are all opposed to a joint squad or allowing their players to take part in case it affects their independent status within the world governing body FIFA.

Sutcliffe told a parliamentary debate that although he was hopeful of having the "widest representation" from Britain in the team it was now likely that only the English FA would allow its players to compete.