News from Welsh Labour

Team GB controversy: Labour AM seeks answers from Lord Coe

A Member of the Welsh Assembly has written to Lord Coe, the Chair of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games asking him to confirm or deny alleged “disparaging comments” he made at the Tory Party Conference in Birmingham about the reluctance of the Football Associations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to play in a combined Team GB side at London 2012.

Lesley Griffiths, the Labour AM for Wrexham – who is also opposed to the Team GB plan – has now written to Lord Coe seeking clarification about his remarks.

In her letter, Ms. Griffiths said:

“I was extremely concerned to read reports about disparaging comments you were alleged to have said during a reception hosted by the British Olympic Association at the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham. The comments were surrounding the issue of a Team GB football team being formed for the 2012 Games and the fact that there is opposition to this in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales by the respective Football Associations.”

“I would be grateful if you could please confirm whether or not you made any comments regarding this issue and also clarify the position as to whether or not discussions surrounding the creation of a Team GB football team will take the views and concerns of the three Football Associations into consideration.”

Commenting on her letter, Lesley Griffiths AM said:

“If these remarks that have been attributed to Lord Coe are correct, then I think he should withdraw them without hesitation. I have, therefore, written to him today to seek clarification on his views on this issue.

“I, along with many other people in Wales, have serious reservations about any proposal for a GB Team playing at London 2012, as that move could mean the loss of Welsh footballing autonomy. For the sake of a handful of matches over the course of a fortnight four years hence, I think its simply not worth it. Therefore, I cannot support the idea.

“I am a passionate believer in the autonomy of the Football Association of Wales and the continuing ability of the Welsh national team and Welsh clubs to play in UEFA and FIFA competitions in the future. As a nation, Wales is proud of our independent football status and we are passionate about the game. I believe we should keep it that way.”

The AM has been campaigning with both the Welsh Assembly Government and the Scottish Government to support a joint-bid between our countries to be submitted to UEFA to host Euro 2016.

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