Scots still wary

Government minister Jim Murphy said he's received "reassurances" from FIFA that the participation of a joint UK team at London's 2012 Olympics would not threaten Scotland's footballing independence.

But the SFA maintain such a precedent could come back to haunt them, because FIFA's members are not bound by any statement from the governing body's executive.

SFA officials are thought to feel strongly that there are nations who would be keen to challenge the separate status of Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

An SFA spokesman said: "We have to take decisions on this issue, based on what is right for Scottish football.

"While we would welcome any statement from FIFA, we have to be clear that FIFA is an organisation made up of its members - and it is their views on the precedent that a Team GB would set that are so important in this issue.

"We await with interest the outcome of FIFA's deliberations next month but we must be clear on this.

"We will not do anything that we feel would jeopardise our status as a footballing nation in our own right. At this stage, we feel that a Team GB does just that.

"At some point, there is a real danger that a precedent of a Team GB will come back and threaten our status as a separate nation."

SFA chief executive Gordon Smith has previously spoken out against the prospect, adding that an under-23 tournament goes against the ethos of the Olympics as the pinnacle of any sport.

His predecessor, David Taylor, now general secretary of UEFA, also warned the "gentleman's agreement" that allows Scotland to compete separately could be challenged at any time - regardless of any pledge by FIFA officials.

The Uruguayan FA challenged the special privilege in 1972, but the motion was thrown out.

Scots Secretary Murphy had earlier reported that FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke had assured him a joint UK team would have no impact on the home nations.

The Labour MP told BBC Radio Scotland: "Scottish teenagers of today can be the Olympians of 2012 and can do so safe in the knowledge that the Scottish national team is safe."

Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Conservative leader David Cameron have backed calls for British representation at the 2012 football tournament, but Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond supports the SFA's stance.

A Scottish Government spokesman said some members of FIFA had consistently questioned why the UK had four different national teams represented in tournaments such as the World Cup.

The spokesman said: "We agree that a Team GB would be taking an unnecessary risk with the future of Scotland as an independent footballing nation. All the footballing authorities seem clear on this as well."