FIFA president Sepp Blatter was wrong to suggest Gareth Bale could be banned for playing for his club Tottenham Hotspur after pulling out of the Olympics, British Olympic Association chairman Colin Moynihan said.
Welshman Bale withdrew from the Games with a back injury, but played in a friendly for his club before Britain's first match against Senegal on Thursday.
Blatter suggested earlier this week that soccer's governing body could ban the 23-year-old winger if the British team lodged a complaint.
"I understand the response from some football fans who were hoping to see him play as part of Team GB," Moynihan said at a news conference in the Olympic Park on Thursday.
"My view is different. I welcome the fact that he has returned from injury earlier than expected. I don't agree with Sepp Blatter's comments about banning him.
"I think Sepp Blatter needs to get closer to Team GB."
The BOA said the situation with Bale was different to that of triple jumper Phillips Idowu.
Idowu pulled out of training camp through injury and the BOA have demanded to see his medical records to ensure he is fit to compete.
"I think there's a very simple difference. Phillips was selected for the team, Gareth wasn't," Chef de Mission Andy Hunt said.
"All I would say is that (coach) Stuart (Pearce) is very comfortable with the team he has and we're looking forward to them starting their first match.
"Stuart made his selections based on fitness and form, you can't predict a recovery period from an injury.
British Olympics Assoc. Defend Bale
posted on 26/7/12
fackin idiot that Blatter is
dinosaur who needs to be made extinct from the game
posted on 26/7/12
Sepp is probably an arsenal fan.
posted on 26/7/12
blatter is a dipshit
posted on 26/7/12
He's saying what he thinks people bloody want him to say.
Fact of the matter is, if these Olympics weren't being held in London (and dare I say if Bale wasn't a Spurs player?), no one would give a toss.
posted on 26/7/12
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 26/7/12
Sepp Prattler's a twaat
posted on 26/7/12
Moynihan made a very good point! Bale has not withdrawn from the squad because he was injured before it was selected!!
posted on 26/7/12
Boas, mainly working in production and page design at the moment
posted on 26/7/12
I can just imagine if he had skipped the friendly v Brazil, and then announced himself fit to play in the first Olympics game, at the expense of another player. How rude would that be?
Blatter should publicly apologise to Bale, or Bale should say he's thinking about suing for defamation of character - then he might think twice about opening his fat arrogant gob in future.
Bale
Blatter =
posted on 26/7/12
Reason 10983982918 to hate that Blatter