Gibraltar earns an extra spot in Europe for 2017/18

Fierce competition in Gibraltar football is set to increase after it emerged that the Rock will be granted an extra spot for UEFA club competitions in 2017/18.

At present only two local teams can compete in the European club competitions.

But a sterling European campaign by Lincoln Red Imps FC this year secured enough points for Gibraltar to climb above Andorra and San Marino in the UEFA rankings.

Gibraltar now stands at 52nd in the overall table, which means an additional local team will get to play at European level in two years’ time. It also means an extra injection of cash into local football.

A UEFA spokesman confirmed that associations ranked 52nd and 53rd have three starters in the qualifying rounds, one in the Champions League and two in the Europa League.

FULL STORY IN TODAY'S PRINT AND E-EDITIONS.