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David Beckham and Gareth Bale could find themselves as roommates in the Olympic Village

Following a decision by the Football Association to ensure that the Team GB footballers fully immerse themselves in the spirit of London 2012 David Beckham and Gareth Bale could find themselves sharing a room in the Olympic Village next summer. This gives the opportunity for the selection of united British teams for the men’s and women’s football competitions to spend some time in the village in Stratford.

The decision means that players who are used to the luxurious five-star suites on club and international duty could find themselves having to share rooms in the more austere village environment. There are only a handful of single rooms available and these will be reserved for special cases.

The 2012 organising committee has committed to having a bed for every competitor, and they welcome the presence of high-profile footballers.

The squads are only likely to spend a few days in the Stratford village as the football competition will take them around the UK. The women’s opening game, scheduled for Cardiff on July 25, will be the first event of the 2012 Games, coming two days before the opening ceremony. They will play a second game in Cardiff before finishing their group matches at Wembley. The men’s team will begin at Old Trafford, then Wembley and finally Cardiff.

Beckham and Bale are both likely to feature on a long-list of possible players due to be selected in October. The English veteran is desperate to feature as one of the three players aged over 23 allowed to play in what will eventually be an 18-strong squad.

Beckham will also help sell tickets and replica shirts manufactured by his boot supplier, but the FA and British Olympic Association insist that selection will be based on football skills rather than celebrity criteria.

Bale and his Wales international colleague Aaron Ramsey are seen as crucial to the success of the British team as their presence would deliver genuine British representation. Players selected on the long-list who want to win a place in the final squads of 18 will then have to declare their availability. The issue is sensitive for Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish players, whose unions oppose their participation.

The managers of the two teams will be announced shortly, with England Under-21 coach Stuart Pearce and England women’s manager Hope Powell expected to fill the roles.
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