Graham Watson - Liberal Democrat MEP for South-West England and Gibraltar

Graham Watson calls for "fair-play for the Gibraltar FA"

9.02.00am BST (GMT +0100) Sat 7th Jun 2008

Graham showing off his own footballing prowess (photography: Jackie Frost)

Graham showing off his own footballing prowess

Tomorrow football's Euro 2008 kicks off in Switzerland, but Lib Dem South West England and Gibraltar MEP Graham Watson has pointed out in one part of Europe, players and fans have not yet been able to participate in any aspect of this coveted international competition.

Today Graham Watson commented:

"The Gibraltar Football Association is one of the 10 oldest federations in the world, and deserves to have its place in UEFA. Last year the Court of Arbitration for Sport agreed, but UEFA have failed to comply with this judgment after intense Spanish lobbying. I have again written to UEFA President Michel Platini, asking him for 'fair-play' for the Gibraltar FA."

Editors Note:-

The Gibraltar Football Association if one of the ten oldest federations in the world, and was formed in 1895. It applied to join UEFA in 1999, after which Spanish representatives have sought to prevent membership. In 2001 UEFA changed its rules so that only independent states recognised by the UN could be permitted members. The Faroe Islands remain the sovereignty of Denmark yet its FA was established in 1979 and gained FIFA membership in 1988, and UEFA membership in 1990.

In September 2006 the Court of Arbitration for Sport threw out the objections to Gibraltar becoming a member of UEFA. After which Graham Watson wrote to all 51 Presidents of the UEFA national representatives urging them to support this ruling and Gibraltar's membership. However whilst legally bound to accept this judgment last January UEFA members rejected this ruling, barring Gibraltar's membership.

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