'No GB football team at Rio 2016 is a missed opportunity'

Scott made five appearances for Team GB at the London 2012 Olympics

Abandoning plans for a Great Britain team at the Rio Olympics is a "missed opportunity" for women's football, says England defender Alex Scott.

The Football Association proposal was scrapped after it failed to get support from the other home nations.

Right-back Scott, 30, played for Team GB at the 2012 Olympics in London.

"It's like it's an opportunity missed again. For women's football, the Olympics is seen as a major sporting event," she told BBC Radio 5 live.

"For us it's an opportunity to go and play on that world stage and further progress women's football in this country."

The Arsenal player, who has won 122 caps for England, claims the Olympic football tournament has much greater significance for the women's game.

"I can understand from the male point of view - all the politics that goes into men's football," she added.

"For women's football in general I think we need to be part of a major tournament like this. It's up there like your World Cup and European Championship."