23 Feb, 2014 @ 17:48
1 min read

Gibraltar and Spain separated in Euro 2016 qualifying groups because of political tensions

GIBRALTAR FA had to be moved out of Spain’s group for Euro 2016 qualifying during today’s draw, due to political tensions between the two countries.

The draw in Nice briefly saw them placed with neighbours Spain but they were immediately swapped to a group with Germany and replaced by Luxembourg.

UEFA had announced prior to the draw that the two nations would be kept apart, as well as Armenia and Azerbaijan, who went to war between 1992 and 1994 and still have territorial disputes.

Gibraltar will now fight Germany, Poland, Republic of Ireland, Scotland and Georgia for a place at Euro 2016, hosted by France.

The Rock, which has a population of 30,000, became a member of UEFA last year and will compete in qualifying for the first time ever.

UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino had said: “Gibraltar is a full member and will participate in the draw on February 23, but it will not play against Spain.

“That was one of the criteria that was decided.”

Tom Powell

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13 Comments

  1. Correct pg. The stadium in Gibraltar currently does not meet UEFA standards for internationals as its too small I believe. A new venue is currently being worked on for Europa Point.

    Please note however that Gibraltar would be happy to play any country its just Spain being childish. Again.

  2. With countries getting together for the Olympics and most sports, what do they think will happen with a Spain v Gibraltar match? It would be a great atmosphere.

  3. I am off to Gib in the summer and decided to stay inside Gib rather than in Spain because of the border problems so less money for Spain with my short stay as I only wanted to cross the border once in my car rather than 3 times witht he Spanish problem. £170 a night though, it was a lot more expensive than staying in a fawlty towers. I am off to Morroco as well before Gib, all booked.

  4. Reap: Why not leave your car on the Spanish side and enter on foot? You don’t need wheels on the Rock. If you mean a hire car, they are all picked up and dropped off on the other side of the road.
    It’s quite a relief sailing past the queue as far as the gate for Gib, doing a sharp left u-turn there and drop the rentacar back, no prob.

  5. Hi Stefano, All advice welcome. It is not a hire car it is my own Spanish car and you are right I do not really need the car while I am there other than maybe getting close to the hotel to drop the wife and kids off with their bags. Maybe you could let me know a few things, such as is it is easy to get a taxi once entering on foot or are there busses, I presume the car park in Spain is right outside Gib? Even if I have to pay a bit I would rather do this than wait a few hours in the boiling sun. What is the quietest time to get in on a Friday in peak season, is 7am any good or should I be earlier or can I be a little later if I take my car? I did ask the hotel regarding the car and they said drive it in and if the small hotel car park is busy you can park for free near the beach. I don’t want to spend 3 or 4 hours in and out queuing. Is there a quieter time in the afternoon as well to get out!! Do you know the cost of the car park per day. Probably best Gib don’t play Spain as Spain will thrash them and I could not stand watching all those smiling faces rubbing their hands together. Too painful.

  6. Reap
    Best bet is to phone 0035020042777 and it will give you a frontier update every 30mins. It is impossible to tell today what our dear amigos will be doing in a few months time but up to now there have been no queues at 7am.
    I would rather bring my car in if I was staying for a few days as its safer. I take it you are staying at the Caleta Palace. There’s a huge free and safe car park on the other side of the bay just 2 minutes walk from the hotel.
    Hope this has been of use.

  7. Reap: As it’s your own car (with luggage?) the advice from El Fifi is best and safest. Good luck with the awkward squad. We have only ever done day-trips to the Rock in hire cars, but even last June I wouldn’t have enjoyed sitting in what was then only a “normal” queue.

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