Government backs GB football team

The football final will be played at Wembley

The idea of a Great Britain football team at the Olympics has received the backing of the government.

Andy Burnham, the secretary of state for culture, media and sport, is backing efforts to have a GB outfit at the London 2012 Games.

"The idea of seeing a British football team is something I feel very excited about," he said.

The Scottish and Welsh football bodies have opposed any such move in case it affects their status within Fifa.

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However, Sepp Blatter, president of world football's governing body Fifa, has assured the associations that a one-off British team would not affect the status of the home nations.

Burnham is hoping that those against a united team will alter their views.

"It would be a great thing and while we are proud of our individual traditions as home nations, coming together for this one-off event to play together as Great Britain is something I believe the public would enjoy," he added.

"Our guide should be whether the public would enjoy it and it would be a tremendous thing to happen during this special occasion for the country.

"I just hope we can overcome any differences and bring a strong British football team to the London Olympics."