AUGUST 6 - LORD TRIESMAN (pictured), the chairman of the Football Association, said it would be "barking mad" if Britain were not represented in the 2012 Olympic tournament and promised that they would be.

 

He today told the BBC: "I can see no good reason for not having one at all.

 

"Whatever it has to be comprised of, we will have a team in the 2012 Olympics."

 

Triesman is supported by Brian Barwick, the chief executive of the FA, despite the fact that their counterparts in Scotland and Wales have refused to co-operate for fear of losing their independence to compete in events like the World Cup and European Championships.

 

Barwick said: "Do I think we should have a team representing football in the 2012 Olympics?

 

"Yes.

 

"We have to respect their [Scotland and Wales] views but this is an Olympics that is going to take place in London in four years' time and I think you'll get from my view that there's an appetite for us to have a team."

 

Sepp Blatter, the president of world governing body FIFA, has claimed on several occasions, including earlier this week, that Britain should enter teams of Englishmen and women in 2012.

 

Barwick said: "Didn't we win a hockey [gold] medal in 1988 with all English players and one Northern Irish player?

 

"There is precedent."