Gibraltar-Ireland Qualifier confirmed for Faro

The FAI have today confirmed that the Republic of Ireland’s away Euro 2016 Qualifier with Gibraltar will take place in the Portuguese city of Faro.

The game will be held at the Estádio do Algarve in Faro on September 4 next year.

It had been rumoured that Gibraltar would be moving some of their home Qualifiers to London, possibly at Fulham’s Craven Cottage.

However, the FAI cleared up speculation with a statement confirming Faro as the venue for the contest.

Ireland defeated Gibraltar 7-0 at the Aviva Stadium earlier this month thanks a hat-trick from Robbie Keane, a double from Wigan’s James McClean, and a goal from Wes Hoolahan - along with a comedy own goal from Gibraltar goalkeeper Jordan Perez.

Gibraltar - a British Overseas Territory - gained entry into UEFA in May 2013, but are forced to play home games in Faro due to the lack of a suitable stadium in Gibraltar and political tension with their neighbours Spain.

Spain holds a long-standing claim on Gibraltar and the two sides were kept apart in the Euro 2016 Qualifying draw because of Spain’s refusal to ever play the minnows over the territorial dispute with the UK.