LONDON - The British government is considering stepping up the pressure on Zimbabwe by banning its athletes from competing in Britain, the BBC has reported.

LONDON - The British government is considering stepping up the pressure on Zimbabwe by banning its athletes from competing in Britain, the BBC has reported.

The Inside Sport programme reported that the ban could notably prevent the Zimbabwe cricket team from touring England next year.

Citing "Downing Street sources", the programme said that Prime Minister Gordon Brown was keen to take a tough stance against Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe and that banning Zimbabweans from competing on British soil could be part of that.

It was not clear if such a move could also have a knock-on effect on other sports figures from Zimbabwe, such as Manchester City striker Benjani Mwaruwari, veteran golfer Nick Price or reigning Wimbledon women's doubles champion Cara Black. - Sapa-AP