But the Spanish Football Federation plans to block the move, with the support of the Spanish government. Gibraltar failed in its previous attempt to join UEFA in 2001 when UEFA adopted a new rule stipulating that only countries recognised by the United Nations (UN) as independent states could become members. Spain has consistently opposed Gibraltar’s attempt to join UEFA.
Spain claims sovereignty over Gibraltar, which was ceded to Britain under the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht. The court said the Gibraltar FA should be granted member status before the UEFA congress in Düsseldorf on January 25 and 25, 2007.
