The home nations who object to an all-British football team at the 2012 London Olympics accept they can't stop their players featuring in the tournament, the English Football Association said yesterday.

The British Olympic Association announced Tuesday that players from England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are eligible to play for Team GB following an "historic" agreement with the English FA.

That angered the Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish associations, who reiterated their objections to their players being selected.

However, FA general secretary Alex Horne said his organisation was acting within the rules.

"It is clear that under the Olympic Charter, there has to be a non-discriminatory selection process for all players. These are not the FA rules," Horne said. "All three associations have notified us in writing that they acknowledge that legally we are entitled to support the BOA in the selection process."

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have been blocking plans to have combined British teams at the Olympics because they don't want to jeopardize their status as separate teams in UEFA and FIFA events.

The BOA said the four British associations have been assured by FIFA that combined British team for the men's and women's competitions "will in no way compromise their autonomy and independence ... nor have any impact on their positions of leadership within the FIFA governance structure."

Despite their stance, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have said their players would be free to take participate at the Olympics without fear of sanctions.