Ireland’s Gibraltar clash confirmed for Faro

Gibraltar have confirmed their Euro 2016 home qualifier against Ireland next year will take place in Faro.

There had been speculation the game could be moved to London after the Gibraltar Football Association were reportedly unhappy with aspects of the security arrangements at their first game in the Estadio de Algarve — a 7-0 hammering by Poland — in September. Those issues now appear to have been resolved, however, and the Uefa newcomers will continue to play at their ‘home away from home’ for the remainder of the Group D qualifiers.

The Gibraltar Football Association have now contacted to the FAI to officially confirm next year’s game against Ireland will go ahead, as planned, at the Estadio do Algarve in Faro, Portugal, on September 4.

The Gibraltar Football Association released a statement outlining their stance.

“Following speculation that matches may be moved to venues in London, the GFA would like to confirm the European qualifiers against Germany (13th June 2015), the Republic of Ireland (4th September 2015) and Scotland (11th October 2015) will take place at the Estadio do Algarve in Faro/Loule, Portugal,” it reads.

“The two issues of concern regarding the continued use of the Estadio do Algarve have now been resolved to the GFA’s satisfaction.

“Concerns over VAT and other tax issues have been resolved following discussions with the Portuguese FA, Portuguese tax authorities and Uefa.

“Concerns over security arrangements have also been resolved after the GFA contracted a new security company to deal with security at the stadium on match-days.

“Furthermore, the GFA also received representations from the German, Irish and Scottish FAs on behalf of German, Irish and Scottish fans who had already booked flights and made accommodation arrangements in Portugal.

“The GFA will now provide those FAs with assurances the matches will take place in Portugal. Given these considerations, the GFA is content to continue using the Estadio do Algarve as our “home” stadium, until such time as there is a stadium in Gibraltar which meets with Uefa’s approval for the hosting of competitive international matches.”

Meanwhile, Ireland manager Martin O’Neill will this afternoon unveil his squad for next month’s Euro qualifier away to Scotland, on November 14, and the friendly against the USA in Dublin on November 18.