Team GB set for Olympic green light

Football Association chairman Lord Triesman has revealed he is "very close" to reaching an agreement for Great Britain to enter a team for the 2012 Olympics.

Attempts to put together a football team for the London Games have so far been undermined by reluctance from Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.

However, Triesman revealed there has been a breakthrough and he told the Guardian: "I am happy to say that although the job is not 100% done, I'm very close to getting agreement with Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales to ensure we compete in the 2012 Olympics, both women's and men's teams."

He added: "I think it would have been extraordinary to have hosted a tournament as great as the Olympic Games and not to have competed, so I'm very pleased with the work we've been able to do and I hope within a day or two to be able to confirm that the whole of that is done."

Triesman's comments have not been received favourably by the Scottish and Northern Irish associations, however. An SFA spokesman said the timing of his revelation was "extremely disappointing".