Chances that Arsenal's Aaron Ramsey, and Tottenham's Gareth Bale will be available to play at the 2012 Olympic Games in London for the Great Britain team are becoming increasingly likely, as those opposing such a venture admit that little can be done to stop players wishing to compete. The IFA, who are maintaining their opposition to a British team along with the FA's of Wales and Scotland as they fear it would undermine their standing within Fifa, have admitted that they couldn't stop players from Northern Ireland accepting selection for the GB Olympic team.

"If a player wants to play, we would probably not stand in his way," said Jim Shaw, chairman of the IFA. "But I would be doubtful if a player would be happy to play under those circumstances."Bale and Ramsey both match the age criteria (they will both be under-23 in 2012), and it represents their best chance of playing in a world tournament, whilst political pressure grows in Britain to allow for the best British team possible.