Gibraltar are set to step up their efforts to eat at the top table of international football after a date was set for their appeal against FIFA's decision to block their membership application.
Gibraltar will go to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on May 21-22 in a bid to fight FIFA's refusal to grant them membership. The Gibraltar Football Association hope to be accepted as a full member in time to enter the 2018 World Cup qualification phase.
The date of the hearing at the CAS would allow them to do that, if the appeal is successful, given that it takes place a week before FIFA Congress, where new members have to be rubber-stamped.
If the appeal is successful, Gibraltar would become 210th member on May 29th, thus allowing them entry into the draw for World Cup qualification on July 25.
FIFA have so far blocked Gibraltar's application on the grounds that, as a British territory, it is not an independent country. However, the fact that the Faroe Islands, England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland (all FIFA members int their own right) are not independent countries either could hamper FIFA's case.
Gibraltar faced a similar fight to become a member of UEFA but did so via the CAS in 2013 thus making them eligible for Euro 2016 qualification during which they have so far conceded 21 goals and scored none from four games.
So all in all, here's hoping we get another chance to face Gibraltar in 2017.
[AP]
