GARY Hall has added more fuel to the flames of the Aaron Cook selection debate by claiming the world number one would be a high-risk option for London 2012.

The GB Taekwondo performance director has made the shocking admission in an interview on the organisation’s official website, where he has attempted to outline the reasons for handing the only spot in the -80kg category at this summer’s Olympic Games to world number 59, Lutalo Muhammad, instead. Cook has been overlooked three times in the selection process and is currently considering legal action, claiming his omission is simply down to personal reasons following his decision to leave the GB academy a year ago.

Hall refutes those suggestions though, and has insisted that Muhammad, a European -87kg champion, deserves much more respect in the ongoing row.

He said: “I can understand the expectation surrounding Aaron who is a world-class player. But people are not giving Lutalo the credit he is due.

"There has been a lot of talk of Aaron’s ranking and he’s done fantastically well to reach that top ranked position but the fact remains that the world ranking system has never been a key consideration in the GB team selection policies.

“Bear in mind that Lutalo has now risen to number seven in the world in the -87kg rankings. Had he been given the chance to compete in the Euros at -80kg and won, then his ranking at -80kg would clearly be higher. People can point to the difference in ranking but the simple fact is that we’ve had to choose between two supremely talented current European champions.”

Hall went on to add: “Lutalo has performed incredibly well in his three competitions this year, medalling in each of them. He beat Aaron at the German Open, under Olympic conditions and he’s now a European champion.

“More importantly, the selectors feel he has the game to win at the Games. He’s well placed to benefit from the new interpretation of the head-shot touch rule which is a key factor, whatever people say. "

The style in which he fights is incredibly difficult to plan against, which is crucial going into the Games and gives us a performance advantage. And his temperament is first class.

“Aaron is a fantastic fighter too but we had to consider the risks involved in his selection such as the fact that he often takes matches too close against lesser opposition as much as quality opposition. He is an entertaining fighter, no doubt about it. But that can be high risk too and we can’t afford to take risks with the Olympic Games.”

When asked whether the real reason Cook has been snubbed is due to political reasons, Hall said: “Aaron left the Academy and we respected his decision. The door remains open to him if he ever wishes to return as we’ve always said.

“This accusation has been levelled at us as a smokescreen for the real reason as to why the selection decision did not go his way this time.

"In the end, the decision was made purely for performance reasons. We have a duty, as we’ve said consistently and as is clearly stated in the selection policy, to select the athletes we feel give Great Britain the best chance of medalling at the Games. That ultimately is what we are measured against.”

There has been speculation that Cook could call time on his career in the sport due to recent events but Hall hopes that will not be the case.

He said: “He is a world class player, hard working and someone who is respected.

“I do understand the disappointment but my advice would be to get back on the mat as soon as possible and take up the reserve spot to carry on working towards London in case he gets the call.

“If he doesn’t get the call, we still have a World Championships in June next year. We do hope he puts himself back into contention for next year.”