A Scottish Government politician has made an official complaint to FIFA alleging the UK Government have ‘conspired’ with the Football Association in an attempt to ensure a GB football team take part in the 2012 Olympics.
Christine Grahame, an SNP Member of the Scottish Parliament, who also chairs the Scottish Parliament's Health and Sport Committee, has written to football's global governing body asking them to investigate.
The Scottish Football Association and many supporters have stated their firm opposition to a GB football team taking part in the London Olympics, fearing their independence could be threatened - despite FIFA assurances to the contrary.
Grahame has pointed the finger at Westminster politicians, the FA and the British Olympic Association.
FIFA are opposed to governmental interference in national football associations.
Grahame, who is English, has called on the world body to take action - even if that means England being suspended from international football.
She said: ‘There is no doubt that the British Government has actively conspired with the English Football Association and officials of the British Olympic Association to bring undue and unprecedented pressure on the Scottish Football Association and the other associations in Wales and Northern Ireland.
‘I have no particular desire to see England 'red-carded' from international competition - but clearly that is the risk being taken by British Ministers and their officials.
‘Based on the evidence I have seen, I believe the UK Government is involved in political interference that undermines the independence of the Scottish Football Association and is in clear contravention of FIFA rules.
‘If I were an England fan then I would be furious that the British Government is running this risk, a move that could effectively ban both the English national and English league sides from competing internationally.
‘Speaking personally, I would love to see the oldest footballing international - between Scotland and England - restarted.
‘But if British Ministers continue to interfere as they have done and England is thrown out by FIFA then that prospect will be gone.’
