Britain kick off 2012 football at Old Trafford

LONDON, Nov 10 (AFP): Great Britain will kick off their quest for an Olympic football gold medal at Old Trafford next year as the dates and venues for their first round matches were revealed today. Britain will also play group games at Wembley and the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff as Stuart Pearce's team aim to qualify for the knockout rounds. The participation of a British team has been embroiled in controversy, with the Scottish, Welsh, and Northern Irish FAs all opposed to the concept because of fears it may threaten their separate identities in world football. However London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) chiefs are confident of doing brisk business for the Britain games when tickets go on sale again Friday. "The prospect of Team GB taking part in the Games has captured the imagination of the public and we are pleased to be able to confirm their group stage fixtures ahead of tickets going back on sale," LOCOG director of sport Debbie Jevans said.