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Ireland captain Robbie Keane and Gibraltar goalkeeper Jordan Perez. Ryan Byrne/INPHO

Gibraltar FA confirms Ireland Euro 2016 qualifier will be in Portugal

Reports had suggested that the game could be switched to London.

IRELAND WILL PLAY their Euro 2016 qualifier against Gibraltar in Portugal, it has been confirmed.

The Boys in Green, who are joint top of Group D with seven points from three games, defeated the minnows 7-0 in Dublin earlier this month and are scheduled to face them away next year on 4 September.

Gibraltar are currently playing home fixtures at the Estadio do Algarve in Faro as work continues on a new 10,000-seater stadium but reports suggested the remaining matches could be moved to London due tax and security issues.

However, the Gibraltar Football Association has released a statement this morning to confirm that they will take place in Portugal.

“Following speculation that matches may be moved to venues in London, the GFA would like to confirm that the European Qualifiers against Germany (13th June 2015), the Republic of Ireland (4th September 2015) and Scotland (11th October 2015) will take place at the Estadio do Algarve in Faro/Loule, Portugal,” it reads.

“The two issues of concern regarding the continued use of the Estadio do Algarve have now been resolved to the GFA’s satisfaction. Concerns over VAT and other tax issues have been resolved following discussions with the Portuguese FA, Portuguese tax authorities and UEFA.

“Concerns over security arrangements have also been resolved after the GFA contracted a new security company to deal with security at the stadium on match-days. The new company performed satisfactorily during the recent match versus Georgia and the feedback received by the GFA from our supporters was very positive in that respect.

Furthermore, the GFA had also received representations from the German, Irish and Scottish FAs on behalf of German, Irish and Scottish fans who had already booked flights and made accommodation arrangements in Portugal. The GFA will now provide those FAs with assurances that the matches will take place in Portugal.

“Given all these considerations, the GFA is content to continue using the Estadio do Algarve as our “home” stadium, until such time as there is a stadium in Gibraltar which meets with UEFA’s approval for the hosting of competitive international matches.”

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    Mute P O' Neill
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    Oct 28th 2014, 12:12 PM

    Gibraltar shouldn’t be in it in the first place.

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    Mute Adrian McBride
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    Oct 28th 2014, 12:26 PM

    Why not?

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    Mute P O' Neill
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    Oct 28th 2014, 12:56 PM

    Because they’re not a country.

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    Mute Adrian McBride
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    Oct 28th 2014, 4:08 PM

    Neither is ROI

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    Mute Sean Spillane
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    Oct 28th 2014, 12:20 PM

    Not even a country. A piece of Spanish rock. Absolute joke.

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    Mute Jason Preston
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    Oct 28th 2014, 12:58 PM

    British Rock

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    Mute Juan Venegas
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    Oct 28th 2014, 2:35 PM

    @Jason Preston, Spanish! But no point in arguing with the “Londonderry type” I’d rather teach my dog to flush the toilet

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    Mute Adrian McBride
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    Oct 28th 2014, 4:09 PM

    They hate Spain ffs

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    Mute Finn Bowe
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    Oct 28th 2014, 7:05 PM

    @Juan, Gibraltar is a s much British as Ceuta is Spanish ! sheer hypocrisy

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    Mute Leopold Dedalus
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    Oct 28th 2014, 12:48 PM

    Also referring to the team as “us” but then declaring yourself not a fan.

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    Mute James St John Smith
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    Oct 28th 2014, 1:22 PM

    It could be played on the moon we’d still batter them.

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    Mute Dave Murray
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    Oct 28th 2014, 1:55 PM

    Sure why would you be celebrating when you’re not a fan, Joe?

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    Mute Joe Bloggs
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    Oct 28th 2014, 3:08 PM

    Joe does what Joe wants

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    Mute Joe Bloggs
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    Oct 28th 2014, 12:28 PM

    It would be typical of us to lose this one.

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    Mute Chris O'Ceallaigh
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    Oct 28th 2014, 12:33 PM

    No it wouldn’t, cite examples please

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    Mute Leopold Dedalus
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    Oct 28th 2014, 12:36 PM

    How to be an Irish Football Fan Lesson One: Bash the team at every opportunity.

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    Mute Joe Bloggs
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    Oct 28th 2014, 12:39 PM

    Leopold, you seem to be mistaken. I am not an Irish football fan. Overpaid prima donnas.

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    Mute philip murphy
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    Oct 28th 2014, 12:42 PM

    Give your examples?

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    Mute Leopold Dedalus
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    Oct 28th 2014, 12:47 PM

    Funny, not an Irish football fan but managed to stray into an article about an Irish football match and then hung around long enough to leave two snide comments. Busy day at the office?

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    Mute philip murphy
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    Oct 28th 2014, 12:51 PM

    Examples?

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    Mute Joe Bloggs
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    Oct 28th 2014, 1:02 PM

    We draw with Germany and then fail to beat Scotland. You heard it here first.

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    Mute Ryan Clarke
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    Oct 28th 2014, 1:09 PM

    I think Scotland and Poland will finish above us.

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    Mute Joe Bloggs
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    Oct 28th 2014, 1:13 PM

    Absolutely Ryan. The way we ‘celebrated’ the draw with Germany was a disgrace. Imagine celebrating ‘not winning’ a game???

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    Mute Big Yellow Crane
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    Oct 28th 2014, 1:29 PM
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    Mute Steve Dedalus
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    Oct 28th 2014, 1:51 PM

    Well said brother of mine!

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    Mute Joe O'Brien
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    Oct 29th 2014, 11:33 AM

    Like ManUre fans last wkend….

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    Mute Stephen Duffy
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    Oct 28th 2014, 6:00 PM

    Still not talking to Spain….!!!

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