The English FA will permit England players who make the Euro 2012 squad to be considered for the British Olympic team, and that might include Wayne Rooney.
FormerEnglish international defender Stuart Peace was named Thursday as coach of the British men’s Olympic team and will be free to consider players who make the Euro 2012 squad. If Rooneyserves his full three-match ban, he wouldn’t play at all at the Euros if England is knocked out in the first round.
“What we don’t want to do is lock ourselves in. I think we’re aware ofthe challenges that would be presented for any player to play in both tournaments. Obviously there is a different level of demand there,” said the Club England managing director, AdrianBevington. “We’re not going to say no one who goes to the Euros could actually go to the Olympics. Any of the situations would have to be managed sensitively and sensibly.”
The Euros run from June 8 to July 1. The Olympic soccer competition starts July 25 and concludes Aug. 11. (The Olympic soccer tournament is a U-23 competition in which each team is allowed toinclude three overage “wild card” players.)