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Rachel Yankey backing men's and women's Team GB football sides at Rio Olympics

Image: Rachel Yankey in action for Team GB at London 2012

Arsenal Ladies midfielder Rachel Yankey understands the Football Association’s desire to enter male and female Team GB football sides at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

The FA has contacted the British Olympic Association about their plans for 2016, provoking a furious response from the Scottish and Welsh FA’s, who believed Team GB’s participation at London 2012 was a one-off.

But England’s second most capped player in history Yankey, who represented Team GB at London 2012, says playing at the Olympics would benefit all of the male and female players involved.

“I was lucky enough to play a part in the 2012 Olympic team and I just thought the whole experience was brilliant,” Yankey told The Morning View on Sky Sports News HQ.

“It’s another tournament and you can’t get enough of tournament football and you learn so much from it. I think taking a team out there both male and female will really help the players and be brilliant.”

England and Scotland’s women’s sides are currently in action at the annual Cyprus Cup ahead of this summer’s World Cup in Canada.

England cruised to a comfortable 3-1 win over Finland in their opening game and face fellow World Cup finalists Australia in Nicosia on Friday.

“It might be tougher. It should be but I still think they’ll come away with the win,” Yankey said.

“They’ll be looking to use the Cyprus Cup to give as many players game-time as possible and I think that it’s positive that they are scoring goals because that builds confidence.

“It’s obviously a little bit disappointing to let in one goal but I’m sure that won't bother them too much.”

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