SportGibraltar

Football: Andrew Rosindell urges Tessa Jowell to lobby on behalf of Gibraltar's UEFA application

Pro-Gibraltar MP Andrew Rosindell (pictured with Angela Watkinson MP) has written to Tessa Jowell Secretary of State Department for Culture, Media and Sport on behalf the Gibraltar Football Association (G.F.A.), and “the many, many football fans in Gibraltar” urging support for the Rock’s UEFA application.

“As you may be aware, the G.F.A. are currently pursuing an application to join the Union of European Football Associations (U.E.F.A.). This application has been delayed because of Spanish objections to Gibraltar’s internationally recognised sovereignty.

I was appalled to learn that the (UK) Government was not planning on making any representations to either the Football Association (F.A.) or U.E.F.A. on this important issue,” he says in his letter.

Mr Rosindell, a regular visitor to Gibraltar’s national day adds that he believes this objection is one based purely on politics, and “is not in keeping with the spirit of the game”.

“Spain have tried in vain to justify their objections based on the population density of the ‘Rock’, believing that the quality of the football played in the tournament would be ‘brought down’ by their entry to it. This is unfounded, especially when we consider that nations like San Marino, a country with a population comparative almost exactly to that of Gibraltar, is currently a proud member. It is my opinion that the G.F.A. should not be made to suffer in their application because of the unreasonable and unjust objections of Spain,” says Mr Rosindell.“I would urge you to make your representations known to both the F.A. and U.E.F.A. in your position as Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and support the application of this proud British Overseas territory, whose citizens are, like you and I, the sovereign subjects of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, both Britain’s and Gibraltar’s, sovereign head of state,” he tells Mrs Jowell.

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