Football Association To Attract Scottish Players To Rio 2016 Olympics

Scottish players "would not be prevented from playing for a Great Britain Olympic team at the Rio 2016 Olympics despite their association's opposition to the plan," according to Martyn Ziegler of the PA. The FA "intends to enter men's and women's teams for Rio despite originally saying London 2012 would be a one-off." The Scottish FA said that it "continues to oppose the move as it could threaten the home nations' separate status" on FIFA, but it will not prevent players taking part -- two Scottish internationals played for the women's team at London 2012. FA Technical Dir Dan Ashworth and England U21 coach Gareth Southgate "are keen on entering Olympic teams to encourage development of young talent and to help the profile of the women's game" (PA, 3/5).