"I don't understand why the 4 footballing nations don't jump at the chance"

Basically what one has to remember is that England and Scotland are the oldest teams in international football. The Welsh and Irish joined the fray within a few years. There is not much problem as far as Europe goes but many in the rest of the world wish to see the end of the special status accorded to the various UK teams. There is a long held view that under these circumstances competing as a single entity would set a precedent. The SFA have been given mixed messages from FIFA. One time being told there is no problem the next time being told it would endanger Scotland's existence. Why would they after almost 140 years risk all for an event which doesn't even involve full strength international squads and which has had no previous massive interest from the public? The Scots originally suggested that the 4 teams could run a competition and the winners would go on to represent the UK but the English FA did not go for that. As it stands at the moment I don't think the SFA could stop any individual from accepting a place in the Olympic squad but the individual would probably be banned from competing for Scotland again. The public here in Scotland seem to be firmly against a UK team.