The Football Association has decided that players will be able to play at both the Euro 2012 and the London Olympics allowing Wayne Rooney to compete as a member of the England Olympic team if he finishes his suspension in time.
Also being considered from the Manchester United team is Stuart Peirce and the coach is also taking a close look at Ryan Gigs from Wales. For the 23+ squad David Beckham will likely make the cut although serious contenders are also Jonny Evans from Northern Ireland and Darren Fletcher from Scotland.
Before any decisions can be made about Rooney however the FA is standing by waiting to receive written responses from the Uefa due to his three game ban for kicking Miodrag Dzudovic during a match against Montenegro.
Fabio Capello, the manager for England, stated that he wants Rooney to play for the Euros and now with the new rule change even if he is able to play in Ukraine and Poland he will also be able to compete in the Olympics.
Managing Director for England, Adrian Bevington, stated that they are aware of what a challenge it would be for any player to compete in both games, but at the same time they are not going to restrict players by making them choose which one to play in.
The Olympics are already shaping out to be full of controversy because outside of the issue with Rooney, there is debate about the Welsh, Scottish, and Ireland players who could be eligible to play in the Olympics’ with the FA stating it will support their decision regardless of what the national associations have to say about it.