English-only soccer team set to represent Britain at 2012 London Olympics

English-only ‘Britain’ soccer team for Olympics

LONDON — A soccer team of only English players is set to represent Britain at the 2012 London Olympics.

The four “home nations” — England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland — sent a joint letter to world governing body FIFA on Friday saying they had agreed that an English team could represent Britain in both the men’s and women’s tournaments.

The deal must still be ratified by FIFA, which had given the four soccer associations until the end of May to come to an agreement.

The Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish associations refuse to be part of a Britain team, fearing it would jeopardize their independence and voting rights within FIFA.

The arrangement will allow Britain to enter an Olympic soccer tournament for the first time in 52 years.