• London Olympics 2012

Ferguson issues Olympics warning

Sir Alex Ferguson is concerned about his players being overused © Getty Images

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Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has expressed his desire for players who take part in Euro 2012 not to be called up to play in the London Olympics next August.

The Football Association did not rule out the possibility of British players appearing in both tournaments when Stuart Pearce was confirmed as manager of the Team GB for the London Games at a press conference on Thursday.

And Team GB chef de mission Andy Hunt claimed home nations associations would "not stand in the way of any player who wants to be involved''.

But Ferguson, who could face the prospect of youngsters Tom Cleverley, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones being selected for both teams, as well as the potential inclusion of Wayne Rooney as an overaged player for Team GB, thinks it is unrealistic to expect players to double up.

"This has been spurred by Argentina and Nigeria sending out their strongest teams (to the Olympics) last time,'' Ferguson said. "That has given the BOA [British Olympic Association] an opening. But our league is different.

"Players need their rest and to recover. I do not see how it is possible (doubling up with Euros). I am sure what I am saying won't make any difference but it is a fact.''

Arsenal are also facing up to the prospect of losing key players such as Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey and Alex Oxlaide-Chamberlain for the Olympics and Arsene Wenger feels the event will be a real headache for managers.

He said: "If you look at the organisation of the whole summer, it makes life impossible for the clubs and the players especially.

"At some stage you have to decide how far you can go medically for the players to play so many games under so much pressure.

"I would say there is already no real break because of the European Championship and the Olympic tournament for me is not a real football tournament, for me the Olympics is for track and field basically.

"The competition (Olympics) is after the European Championship. The Euros finish on July 1, we start the championship on August 15, we start pre-season training on July 4 or 5, that means we will not have the players after the Euros.

"If we are losing them as well to the Olympic Games I think I will have to sign a licence to practise all over the summer because we will not have players. It cannot work.

"The Olympics finish in mid-August, so imagine a player who has played the Euros and Olympic Games. You think you can use him after that? It's impossible. I don't know what people think when they organise these competitions."

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