UEFA have today voted in favour of admitting island territory Gibraltar as its 54th and now smallest member.
The European game’s governing body this week convened in London to consider the British-governed island’s application for membership and after a vote, have approved it.
Located on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula, Gibraltar can now enter an international team for Euro 2016 qualifiers and enter club sides in the Champions League and Europa League from the 2014-15 season.
Reports in Spain indicate that until the national side’s planned new stadium is built, Gibraltar will have to play international fixtures outside of the island.
Spain, who have previously opposed the territory’s application and threatened to withdraw its clubs from European competition in protest, voted against the application this week.
UEFA President Michel Platini has confirmed that tension between the two nations will see them kept apart in qualifying groups.
“Gibraltar will not play qualifying matches with Spain – we also have this situation with Armenia and Azerbaijan,” Platini explained today.
Gibraltar have a population of 30,000, fewer than San Marino, Lichtenstein and the Faroe Islands.
