WITH just over a year to go to the Rio Olympics, talk has already begun about whether or not there should be football representation for Team GB – and there are not too many in favour as far as the game’s different bodies in the UK are concerned.

At the London games three years ago, we saw a men’s Great Britain football team compete for the first time in a generation and while it didn’t mirror the rest of Team GB’s home success, it was well received by fans lucky enough to get tickets for the games.

But it never really sat well with the domestic football associations other than the English FA who are the footballing representative for the British Olympic Association.

Basically, the team in 2012 was initiated by the FA and their Scots, Welsh and Northern Irish counterparts went along for the ride for a home-based games.

But the suggestion there should be a team sent to Brazil next year has seemingly fallen on deaf ears across the English borders this time around.

Those Celtic nations are concerned about the loss of individual identity as footballing nations should a Great Britain team become the norm and you can sympathise.

When you consider that only five non-English players were in the 18-strong men’s squad for the London games, and all of those Welsh, it is understandable the Scots and the Northern Irish want to steer well clear.

It is always going to be a difficult situation.

For time and a day, the four domestic associations have resisted the temptation for fear of setting wheels in motion they may not have any control over.

A Great British national side in the Olympics could lead to calls for a permanent team to replace the home nations in European Championship and World Cup tournaments.

Then the added knock-on effect could come for the club sides.

While there would not be mergers like Bolton Rangers or Aberdeen United or City, the availability of European club places could be put in jeopardy.

Other European nations have had a bit of a bee in their continental bonnets for some time about that – the argument being that if Great Britain wants to compete as one internationally, then it should also be treated as one regards club competition.

Nations like Germany and France would argue that it is unfair they get, say seven European places when England get as many as well as Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland sides also in the mix separately.

Not that Welsh sides seem to have a problem competing in the English FA Cup.

I’m sure the Anglophile that is Michel Platini would love nothing more than to change things.

As things stand, the FA hope the Olympics can provide a happy medium for all domestically with plans afoot for Rio already.

But this time they may have to push ahead without a little help from their friends.