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Gibraltar given full Uefa membership; BBC
Topic Started: 24 May 2013, 03:02 PM (1,649 Views)
Clyde1998
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Gibraltar has been accepted as a full member of Uefa, European football's governing body. The application was approved on a majority vote at the organisation's congress in London, with no votes against and no abstentions. The British Overseas Territory off the south coast of Spain has a population of just under 30,000. Gibraltar will be allowed to enter qualifying for the 2016 European Championship. The territory tried to join Uefa in 2007 but the bid was controversially rejected. Spain opposed the move and threatened to boycott both club and international competitions were the British overseas territory admitted. Only three of Uefa's 52 associations voted in favour of Gibraltar - the English, Welsh and Scottish Football Associations. Previously Gibraltar, which has six top-division teams and 600 registered senior players, had been told it could not join Uefa as it was not a country recognised by the United Nations. It was accepted as a provisional member of Uefa in October 2012 and that membership has now been ratified. Spain continues to claim sovereignty over the territory, which has been ruled by Britain since 1713 under the terms of the Treaty of Utrecht. The European Union has put pressure on Spain and Britain to resolve the issue of Gibraltar's status. Both sides, under the Brussels Process launched in 1984, have attempted to reach an agreement. But Spain's insistence on eventually acquiring full sovereignty, and Britain's determination to retain full control of Gibraltar's military base, have been among the stumbling blocks. Uefa president Michel Platini has confirmed that Gibraltar and Spain will be kept apart in qualifying groups. "Gibraltar will not play qualifying matches with Spain - we also have this situation with Armenia and Azerbaijan," Platini said. "This is a momentous occasion for football in Gibraltar. Uefa membership means that we can begin the next chapter of Gibraltarian football," the president of the Gibraltar Football Association, Gareth Latin, said. "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." Allen Bula, head coach of Gibraltar's national side, would relish the chance to play the country's neighbours. "I always said I would love to play Spain. I would play them any day, anywhere, any time," Bula told the BBC's World Football programme earlier this year. "When I took over the national team I had one purpose - to show Europe and the world that what Spain were saying about us, that we were only in it for political reasons and that we didn't have any quality, was a load of rubbish. "They have not let us progress, we've never given up and now we are ready to show Europe what we are made of." Gibraltar becomes the smallest Uefa member in terms of population, behind San Marino (just over 32,000), Liechtenstein (approximately 37,000) and the Faroe Islands (just under 50,000).
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Clyde1998
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Gibraltar have a decent side. Last year they beat Faroe Islands 3-0.
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cribsie
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You're winding us up surely? Whatever next, the Isle of Sheppey? Just what international football needs, even more pointless games.
My Reading FC History Site The Biscuitmen
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Clyde1998
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cribsie
24 May 2013, 03:27 PM
You're winding us up surely? Whatever next, the Isle of Sheppey? Just what international football needs, even more pointless games.
I do feel that there should be pre-qualifying in European tournaments.

But hopefully the Gibraltar v Spain ban will be lifted :D ;) :P
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Hayes
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The chief of the Gibraltar football team was on Talk Sports about this.we beat Notts County once he said.I have been to Gibraltar and its a rock,a runway,few shops and apes that jump all over you.The pitch must be on a hell of a slope :D

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Clyde1998
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Hayes
24 May 2013, 03:40 PM
The pitch must be on a hell of a slope :D
Looks like half the place is football pitches :D

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They are building a new stadium though...
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cribsie
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Clyde1998
24 May 2013, 03:42 PM
Hayes
24 May 2013, 03:40 PM
The pitch must be on a hell of a slope :D
Looks like half the place is football pitches :D

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They are building a new stadium though...
They should get themselves down to DFS, a couple of three-seat sofas in the sale, sorted :D
My Reading FC History Site The Biscuitmen
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Clyde1998
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cribsie
24 May 2013, 03:52 PM
Clyde1998
24 May 2013, 03:42 PM
Hayes
24 May 2013, 03:40 PM
The pitch must be on a hell of a slope :D
Looks like half the place is football pitches :D

Posted Image

They are building a new stadium though...
They should get themselves down to DFS, a couple of three-seat sofas in the sale, sorted :D
You just stand on top of the rock and watch in :D
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Hayes
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Clyde1998
24 May 2013, 03:42 PM
Hayes
24 May 2013, 03:40 PM
The pitch must be on a hell of a slope :D
Looks like half the place is football pitches :D

Posted Image

They are building a new stadium though...
I was right about the runway :D That wasn't there when I went :D

https://www.facebook.com/groups/www.readingfc.co.uk/?ref=bookmarks
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Hayes
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https://www.facebook.com/groups/www.readingfc.co.uk/?ref=bookmarks
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