MX23RW : Tuesday, November 26 09:35:08| >> :600:326006:326006:

Chris Coleman concerned about Olympics impact

Wales manager Chris Coleman expresses concerns that Team GB's Olympics ambitions could harm his team's World Cup bid.

Wales manager Chris Coleman has expressed concerns that Great Britain's Olympics football campaign could disrupt his team's World Cup qualifying bid.

The former Fulham boss said that he would prefer it if his key players were not called up to represent Team GB.

"Ideally I wouldn't want any of our players involved," the Wales boss told BBC Sport. "I can't say I'm delighted about the fact that if they get to the final, four days later we've got a game.

"But there's nothing we can do about it. We've just got to get on with it."

Wales take on Bosnia-Herzegovina in a friendly on August 15, four days after the Olympics football final will take place at Wembley.

British Olympic Association chief executive Andy Hunt previously suggested that Wales stars Craig Bellamy and Gareth Bale have agreed to take part in the Team GB initiative, and are on a shortlist of 80 players.

Coleman said that he understands why his players would wish to take part in the Olympics, but added that he is unaware of any agreement that grants them clearance.

He added: "Most of the clubs I talk to, or managers that I talk to, are not that happy about it.

"Obviously the clubs they've talked to have agreed to it otherwise they wouldn't come out with that statement."

The draw for the tournament will take place on April 24.

ID:24264: cacheID:24264:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2323:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Millennium Stadium
Read Next:
Wales stars free to play in Olympics
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
FT
Ravens
30-23
Chargers
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1210112481631
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Fulham125341717018
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle125341313018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd124441313016
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham124351519-415
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Ipswich TownIpswich121651323-109
19Crystal Palace121561017-78
20Southampton121110924-154


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!