Irish League
IFA's Shaw preparing for any threat of single UK team
Irish FA president Jim Shaw
June 08 2015 11:28 PM
Irish FA President Jim Shaw has admitted that he and his colleagues on the association's board are already preparing to thwart any threat to the status of the four British nations.
Sepp Blatter's decision to step down as President of Fifa may be seen as a positive move by many observers, but a change at the top of the global game could have ramifications for England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
There was a concerted effort in the 1970s and 80s by some countries to make the home nations play as one united British team, and the developments at Fifa have raised fresh concern.
The IFA have already refused to entertain the idea of a GB team in Olympic competition.
"Any change has always got that potential, even if at the moment there is no evidence of a threat," said Shaw.
"We have twice gone through the Olympic issue - for London 2012 and then again earlier this year. The three Celtic nations, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, decided not to get involved in that because of the pressure we experienced in the 1970s and 80s."
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