Stuart Pearce has said that it is a "massive shame" that no Great Britain football teams will compete at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
The Football Association has scrapped plans for Great British sides to play in the competition next year, despite men's and women's teams taking part in the 2012 edition when London hosted the Games.
Pearce, who managed the men's side in 2012, believes that the withdrawal will cause more harm than good.
"It's a massive shame, not just for the man's game but for the exposure of the women's game," the former Nottingham Forest boss told Sky Sports News.
"There's a group of 18 players who are going to miss out badly."
Both the men's and women's teams reached the quarter-finals at the 2012 Games.
Written by
Steven Toplis
Steven Toplis
