GIBRALTER and Spain will be kept apart in the qualifying groups for Euro 2016, Uefa has announced.
The tiny british Overseas Territory with a population of 29,000 became a full member of Uefa earlier this year despite opposition from Spain, which claims sovereignty over Gibraltar.
Uefa's executive committee has reviewed the procedure for the draw on February 23 in Nice and the organisation's general secretary Gianni Infantino has confirmed the two member nations will be kept apart due to the sensitivities involved.
Infantino said following the meeting in Bilbao: "Gibraltar is a full member and will participate in the draw on February 23, but it will not play against Spain. That was one of the criteria that was decided."