A GB team would spice up the football tournament in 2012

The Scottish FA are resisting any involvement, but British Olympic Association boss Craig Reedie believes a GB team would improve the Games.

"I'm certain there will be a British football team in a London Games but how we end up delivering that I'm not sure.

"There are all sorts of ways of doing it and I do think the Scots' concerns are misplaced," Reedie said.

The Scottish FA are worried a British team would threaten the position of the individual home nations within world football.

But Reedie, a Scot, added the proposal had a positve response from Fifa president Sepp Blatter and his predecessor Joao Havelange when he broached the subject with them.

"Over the years I have spoken to both Joao Havelange and Sepp Blatter and they both understand the advantages of having a home team in the Games."

The prospect of a combined team for 2012 is expected to become a serious issue if London wins hosting rights.

"Certainly the (English) FA has been very positive," said London 2012 communications director Mike Lee.

"How that team is composed and how it would qualify is up for question but I would not rule out a Team GB in London in 2012."

London will find out on 6 July whether it has beaten Paris, New York, Madrid and Moscow to host the Games in 2012.

Britain currently has no Olympic football team as England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales are all individually recognised by ruling bodies Uefa and Fifa.

For the four football associations to agree to amalgamate for 2012, they would need to be satisfied that there would be no pressure to participate at future tournaments as a GB side.