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Spain warns UEFA it will pull out if Gibraltar is made member

Ap
Thursday 24 August 2000 00:00 BST
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Spain has warned the European soccer body UEFA that it will pull out of the organization if the disputed colony of Gibraltar is allowed to join, a soccer federation spokesman said Thursday.

Spain has warned the European soccer body UEFA that it will pull out of the organization if the disputed colony of Gibraltar is allowed to join, a soccer federation spokesman said Thursday.

UEFA is set to discuss Gibraltar's application become a member this Saturday in Monaco.

But in a recent letter to UEFA, the Royal Spanish Soccer Federation said it "radically opposes Gibraltar's aims and ... wishes to make known (its) refusal to take part in, or organize, any competition in which Gibraltar participates," federation member Rogelio Nunez said.

Gibraltar, a one-town promontory, lies at Spain's southern tip. Formerly part of Spain, it was ceded to Britain in the 18th century. Spain, however, has never let up trying to regain the territory.

Gibraltar had two applications to join the world soccer body, FIFA, rejected in 1991 and 1997. Nunez said the last application was opposed by UEFA and Britain as well as Spain.

UEFA received Gibraltar's application in July and passed it on to Spain for its opinion, he said.

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