New Country Joins UEFA
 

Gibraltar becomes Uefa's 54th Member despite Spain's Past Objections

• Application rejected first in 1999 and most recently 2007
• Victories in court of arbitration paved way for move

The Guardian UK, Friday 24 May 2013


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Gibraltar should soon be hosting senior football matches after being admitted fully to Uefa. Photograph: Design Pics Inc/Rex Features


Gibraltar have become Uefa's 54th member nation after the European ruling body voted for its inclusion at its congress in London.

There had been opposition from Spain but the Gibraltar FA won a case at the court of arbitration for sport obliging Uefa to accept the British overseas territory as a member.

The Uefa president Michel Platini said that Gibraltar would be kept apart from Spain in qualifying for Euro 2016. "Gibraltar will not play qualifying matches with Spain – we also have this situation with Armenia and Azerbaijan,'' he said.

"This is a momentous occasion for football in Gibraltar," said Gareth Latin, president of the Gibraltar FA. "Uefa membership means that we can begin the next chapter of Gibraltarian football.

"At last we'll be able to show the whole of Europe that we can match the best with football of a high standard and entertaining style.

"It will open up a whole new world of opportunities for our highly skilled young footballers. This is one of our greatest sporting moments."

Gibraltar's first application, in 1999, had been rejected in the face of intense opposition from Spain, who feared that if Gibraltar were to be admitted to Uefa, it would set a precedent that could inspire similar claims from separatist Basque or Catalan teams.

The last vote was in 2007 when only three countries supported Gibraltar's application and Spain threatened to withdraw all its teams from Uefa competition if Gibraltar were admitted.