With Gibraltar using the Algarve Stadium in Faro for their ‘home’ EURO 2016 qualifying games, there is a strong possibility that either Portugal, England, Netherlands, Germany and/or France could be in the same group.
UEFA has stated that, given the political impasse between the British and Spain governments over The Rock, the draw which takes on February 23, will ensure that Spain and Gibraltar are kept apart.
The same goes for Azerbaijan and Armenia, who have been bitter enemies since fighting a territorial conflict as the Soviet Union fell apart two decades ago.
Controversial new proposals by UEFA will mean that France will join the other 53 member associations in next month’s qualifying draw in Nice.
France, as hosts of EURO 2016, qualify automatically but will be allocated to a group although their results will not be included in the group reckoning! Another piece of illogical reasoning by UEFA boss Platini.
Top seeds – Pot 1: Spain (holders), Germany, Netherlands, Italy, England, Portugal, Greece, Russia, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Pot 2: Ukraine, Croatia, Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland, Belgium, Czech Republic, Hungary, Republic of Ireland
Pot 3: Serbia, Turkey, Slovenia, Israel, Norway, Slovakia, Romania, Austria, Poland
Pot 4: Montenegro, Armenia, Scotland, Finland, Latvia, Wales, Bulgaria, Estonia, Belarus
Pot 5: Iceland, Northern Ireland, Albania, Lithuania, Moldova, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Cyprus
Pot 6: Luxembourg, Kazakhstan, Liechtenstein, Faroe Islands, Malta, Andorra, San Marino, Gibraltar
