2012 Olympic Soccer Tournament: Why It's Bad for United and the Premier League

Usually, it's best to take Sir Alex Ferguson's rants well salted.

This time, though, the gruff Scot might have a point.

With the Olympic football tournament looming this summer, Manchester United's manager is less than happy. And that's putting it diplomatically.

Ten United players, including Wayne Rooney and Ryan Giggs, were named in manager Stuart Pearce's preliminary 80-man Great Britain squad. Rooney and Giggs would be included as overage players in the combined Great Britain roster (the rules allow only three players born after January 1, 1989 on each squad).

Meanwhile, Chicharito and David De Gea could represent Mexico and Spain, respectively.

The tournament is scheduled for July 26-August 11. The 2012-13 English Premier League season begins August 18, and up to 12 United players could be involved in the Olympics.

Not surprisingly, that isn't sitting well with Ferguson.

From Eurosport.com:

"It's ridiculous, utter chaos," he is quoted as saying in various newspapers.

"I have no idea how badly other clubs are affected but I would imagine Tottenham will have a few, like Gareth Bale.

"Aston Villa have a lot of younger players as well - that is all Alex McLeish needs."

It's not hard to understand Ferguson's concern here. United and every other Premier League team prepare for the upcoming season in July and early August. This year's Olympic tournament will throw their usual schedules off kilter.

What's worse, Pearce won't name his squad until after Euro 2012, which beings June 8 and ends July 1. So, in other words, football's offseason will last about a week or two this summer.

Ferguson said, via Eurosport.com:

We have agreed that any player who boards the plane to the European Championship in Poland and Ukraine will not be considered for selection to Team GB.

It's a sensible football decision when you consider the demands on players, and it now leaves no room for doubt for players and their clubs about next summer and the two major tournaments.

Sensible, yes. But will Pearce keep his word?

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