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Short version - we invented the bloody game, we get to do what we want.
Slightly longer version - unlike Bavaria, Hessia &c., Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland their own FIFA-recognised football leagues, their own football associations and therefore their own national teams.
Slightly longer version again - it's a bit of an awkward situation. The home nations (as they are known) get a lot of stick for having disproportionate representation in FIFA, buut are reluctant to give up this power, and to do so would potentially penalise the smaller leagues, especially since _even smaller_ leagues like Andorra would still have representation. This also prevents the UK from entering an Olympic football team, as to do so would be to set a precedent about having a team based on political status rather than league status. There is also the problem that a) nobody would necessarily _support_ a British team and b) it would disenfranchise Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, none of whom really have players who would be likely to get into a British team (with the _very_ unlikely exception of Craig Bellamy. |
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