News > 2009

SFA CHIEF SAYS NO TO OLYMPIC FOOTBALL

23 January 2009

Gordon Smith, the Chief Executive of the SFA, has revealed he is not only against a Team GB in the 2012 Olympics but is opposed to football being included in the Olympics at all.

Speaking in the first part of an exclusive interview for BBC ALBA’s ‘Spòrs’ programme to be broadcast this Saturday, the SFA chief argues that football has no place at the Olympics saying “The Olympics should be the pinnacle of any sport and this is not the case for football.”

He also explains in detail his opposition to a specific Team GB in the 2012 Olympics, talks about his plans for Scottish football in the next five years, discusses Kris Boyd’s decision on leaving the National Squad and reveals an agreement to hold a four nations tournament in 2011 that replaces England with the Republic of Ireland.

Alan Esslemont, Head of Content at BBC ALBA, said, “We’ve been hearing a lot about a Team GB in the 2012 Olympics but Gordon’s views on the sport being included at all are something the public have not heard from the SFA before.

“Our sports package has been a great success since the launch and we are continually striving to broadcast the highest quality of interviews for our viewers.”

The first part of Gordon Smith’s interview will be broadcast during BBC ALBA’s Spòrs on Saturday, 24 January between 8-10pm and part two will be broadcast next Saturday, 31 January. BBC ALBA is available on Sky channel 168 and on Freesat channel 110.