"matter of tradition"

You're absolutely correct. I don't think there is much opposition within UEFA(ie the European Confederation) to the 4 British team's individual status - but there is from other parts of the world and in particular Africa. The idea that the oldest competing teams should be disbanded, and in Scotland and England's cases we are talking about the founders of the game as we know it, is a complete lack of respect for both footballing tradition and for British tradition. It may be just a matter of time before our other special status is done away with though. When FIFA was desperate to get the Home nations to join they made various special concessions. One is that of the 8 vice-presidents only one member is not voted in by the confederations of the various continents. The 4 Home nations vote for one of their members as vice-president. So the UK has permanent membership of the ruling council. It may be harder to defend that one in the modern game. Of course we also have 4 votes within UEFA rather than 1 but like I say the Europeans seem happy with that.