The former England and Manchester United legend, who is here helping to promote the 12th annual Laureus World Sports Awards, admitted that he would be pleased if he could help settle the row which has been ongoing since London were awarded the Olympics in 2005.

"[London 2012 chairman] Seb Coe is a good personal friend, and he has said he is expecting I'll try to help them, so that's where we are," said Sir Bobby, a member of the England side that won the World Cup in 1966.

"Trying to get a Great Britain team together is going to be very interesting.

"I don't know how they are going to do it - someone there must know.

"But countries like Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland are very passionate, they expect to be able to perform in the Olympic Games themselves.

"If they have to play as a British team it's going to be a hard thing for them to do.

"But they will do it, I'm sure they will be fine."

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