Gibraltar FA to buy ‘home’ stadium on the Rock for £16.6m

April 19 – One of UEFA’s newest members, the Gibraltar FA, is to buy a stadium within its borders which will enable it to develop a venue where it will be able to host national team fixtures and European club matches.

The £16.6 million acquisition of the Victoria Stadium from the government will enable the Gibraltar FA to develop the facility to a standard where it can host national team fixtures and European club games.

With Brexit on the horizon, the dispute with Spain over the sovereignty of the British Overseas territory is intensifying. Gibraltar currently have to play their national team matches over the border in Spain – a situation that would only increase the friction between the countries and Britain if it continued.

A further £15 million is to be spent on the stadium to bring it up to Category 4 standards. The finance is being part provided by FIFA and UEFA grants. It is expected Gibraltar will be able to play home games there from the Summer of 2018.

Gibraltar FA General Secretary Dennis Beiso said: “Football will finally come home, and there will be no repeat of the current situation where our club and national teams are not allowed to play at their home stadium.”

As part of the sale, funding will be released to invest in two further multi-sports facilities on the ‘Rock’ – Lathbury and Europa Point. They will provide two smaller venues that will cater for football, cricket, rugby and other sports.

The sports investment in Gibraltar triggered by the stadium sale is the largest ever in the territory.

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