News from Welsh Labour

Lesley Griffiths lauds Welsh FA on Team GB letter

Wrexham’s Labour Assembly Member, Lesley Griffiths, has welcomed the joint letter sent by the Football Association of Wales, Scottish Football Association and the Irish Football Association Northern Ireland, which formally tells the world governing body of football that they will not participate in Team GB at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The AM was commenting following publication of the letter sent to FIFA, which spells out the strength of opposition felt by the FAW, SFA and IFA to the Team GB proposal.

In their letter, the three associations tell FIFA bosses:

“For the avoidance of doubt, we wish to take this opportunity to formally re-iterate that we will not participate in a ‘Team GB’ in the 2012 Olympic Games. Furthermore, we categorically state that we do not think that football should be an Olympic event. However, as it is so classified, we do not believe there is a justification for there being a Great Britain team participating therein. Our common stance is unwavering. Moreover, our supporters’ organisations have all made it clear that we have their total backing in this respect.”

The joint letter was published on the same day that Manchester United boss, Sir Alex Ferguson, ruled out that he would be managing the Team GB football team at London 2012.

Commenting on the developments, Lesley Griffiths, a vocal opponent of the unified Team GB concept, said:

“This letter is unequivocal and I congratulate the FAW for making this stand to defend the integrity and independence of Welsh football. The importance of this letter means the Team GB idea is now dead and buried.

“The sad thing is, this entire controversy was avoidable and should never have happened. I now hope the proponents of Team GB will now accept and respect the Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish positions and move on from this unfortunate and needless saga.”

The AM also appealed to young Welsh footballing talent to ignore external pressure to defy the FAW decision. She said:

“I urge young Welsh players to stand by this decision by the FAW. It has been made in the long term interests of the Welsh national team and to ensure that Wales succeeds in international competitions well into the future.”

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