Friday 20 March 2015 12:56, UK
FIFA will block the Football Association from entering a Team GB side into the Rio 2016 Olympic Games unless a full agreement is reached with Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
FIFA's position was clarified during the first day of its executive committee meeting on Thursday in which dates were also finalised for the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
The governing body's vice-president Jim Boyce, who raised the issue following a report by the organising committee for the Olympic Football Tournament, has confirmed to Sky Sports News HQ that FIFA will not sanction a Team GB side without the support of every British association.
"FIFA have confirmed to me that the British Olympic Association would not receive FIFA's permission to enter a Team GB football team without the consent of all four British associations," Boyce said.
"The situation was that when the Olympic Games was held in London permission was granted, albeit reluctantly, for there to be a one-off Team GB and sssurances were given to the other associations that it would be a one-off.
"It’s my understanding that England has once again applied to enter a team into the next Olympic Games next year in Rio and I had to raise this on behalf of the other British associations.
"I was given categorical assurances by FIFA that only FIFA could decide and unless full agreement is reached between England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland then there will be no Team GB."
It is understood the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish FA have all written to the English FA this month insisting they will not support a British team, believing Team GB's entry in the London 2012 Olympic Games was simply 'a one-off'.
Sky Sports News HQ understands that the Welsh FA's stance that they will not take part remains the same, as they see it as a threat to their status as an independent football nation
It is also understood that the Scottish FA, like in 2012, would not prevent individual players being selected but do not support a Great Britain football team.
And, in a statement issued to Sky Sports News HQ, Northern Ireland's football governing body said: "The Irish FA has not changed its position from before.
"The Association was of the understanding that participation at the London Olympics was a one-off. The Irish FA believes that, when playing, our players should play in a Northern Ireland shirt."
The FA, meanwhile, say they have proposed a Team GB in Brazil to promote youth development and offer younger players a chance of competing at a major international tournament.
