The British Olympic Association has announced a “historic agreement” which it claims allows footballers from Scotland to join a British football team at the London 2012 Olympics.

It said the FA had agreed to take on the role of administering the team and selecting players for the tournament, despite objections from the SFA and Welsh and Northern Irish football associations.

BOA chief executive Andy Hunt said: “Seeing Team GB take to the pitch in 2012 will be one of the defining moments of the London Olympic Games.

“It would be unthinkable to host the Olympic Games in Great Britain, home of the world’s most knowledgeable and passionate football fans, and not have Team GB represented in both men’s and women’s football.”

A BOA statement said: "The selection criteria will be entirely non-discriminatory, as players from England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and other territories which fall under the BOA's remit, who meet the approved competitive standard will be eligible for consideration and selection.

However, the SFA said that it had not been contacted by the BOA and still took the stance that no Scottish footballers should participate.

A statement from SFA chief executive Stewart Regan made prior to the BOA announcement reaffirmed the governing body’s stance.

"We haven’t spoken to Andy Hunt and our position on the matter has not changed," Mr Regan said.

"We have consulted the Association of Tartan Army Supporters Clubs, our board and also members of the media and there is absolutely no appetite."

SNP politicians at Westminster and Holyrood also condemned the BOA’s statement.

The party's Westminster Olympic spokesman Pete Wishart MP said: “There is united opposition in Scotland from the SFA and the fans to the idea of a team GB that threatens their independence.

"It is astounding that the BOA have issued this claim without speaking to the SFA first.

“The plans that the BOA has today laid out would be a gift for those who wish to end Scotland’s independence as a footballing nation.”

Arrogance

SNP MSP and former sports inister Stewart Maxwell added: “It is utter arrogance of the British Olympic Association and FA to say they have such a deal.

“The SFA has consistently made clear that it considers a GB team a threat to Scotland’s footballing independence.

"The BOA must retract this statement immediately.”

The Scottish FA, Irish FA and Football Association of Wales released a joint statement regarding the BOA announcement.

It reads: “The Football Associations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland reiterate our collective opposition to Team GB participation at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, contrary to the media release issued by the British Olympic Association today.

“We have been consistently clear in explaining the reason for our stance, principally to protect the identity of each national association. With that in mind, we cannot support nor formally endorse the approach that has been proposed by the Football Association.

“We have stressed this in communications to them and are disappointed that this has been ignored in the media release. No discussions took place with any of us, far less historic agreement been reached, prior to the statement from the BOA being released.

“The Associations are committed to supporting the individual Home Nations playing all representative football under their respective flags as independent members of FIFA and UEFA. This position has been endorsed by supporters of all Home Nations, who have been consulted throughout this process.”

• SFA stance will not change over Team GB