Latest news with #Gibraltarians
Belfast Telegraph
17-07-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Ten-man Cliftonville crash out of Conference League after extra-time heartbreak against Gibraltar outfit
The Reds have endured no shortage of European sob stories in recent years but this one might just top the lot, with nightmare starts to both the regulation 90 minutes and the additional 30 costing them a second qualifying round date with Shamrock Rovers. Behind inside the first minute, Jim Magilton's side levelled before half-time and even took the lead in the minutes after having defender Odhran Casey controversially sent off. As had been the case in last week's first leg in Gibraltar — when they also went 2-1 up despite being a man light — they were unable to maintain that advantage for long and, when the contest went to extra-time, barely 90 seconds had elapsed by the time the visitors bagged what proved to be the winner. The Reds made two changes to the side that lined up at Europa Point Stadium for last week's first leg, with the suspended Jack Keaney — who was sent off early in the second-half of that game — replaced at the back by Shaun Leppard, while former Glenavon and Larne ace Micheal Glynn came in for Shea Kearney, who has since completed a move to Scottish Championship outfit Dunfermline Athletic. Harry Wilson, for whom injury brought about a swift exit in the first leg, was fit enough to resume his role in midfield, while up front Ryan Curran partnered Joe Gormley on the night the 35-year-old became Cliftonville's most capped European performer on his 19th appearance on the Uefa stage. His and the Reds' night, however, got off to the worst possible start when St Joseph's took the lead inside the first minute. What initially looked like a routine ball over the top suddenly spelt danger for the hosts as Rodriguez got there ahead of Leppard and worked his way past Odhran Casey to set himself up for a cool finish. The hosts' response was positive with Rory Hale appealing for handball when his shot was charged down inside the box before the resulting corner delivery saw Casey head against the bar. On 20 minutes, Saints goalkeeper Bradley Banda used his feet to keep out a Gormley strike from a tricky angle before the striker sent another attempt just wide after being teed up by Wilson. Gormley then thundered off target after plucking a Hale pass out of the air and Curran dragged a left footed attempt across the face of goal as the Reds pinned the visitors deep inside their own half. Just when it looked like their momentum was starting to slow came the leveller; St Joseph's paying the price for allowing Glynn far too much time and space and, with the Gibraltarians seemingly inviting him to shoot, he duly obliged by steering a well-placed effort into the bottom corner. A rasping long-range strike from Hale drew Banda into an unorthodox save in the last notable action of a fiery first-half, while the second period started with the keeper turning a Jonny Addis blast over the bar. Banda also did well to save a shot from Casey but the home defender's involvement only lasted a few more minutes when, already on a booking, he received a second card for a challenge on Alvaro Rey - one which he emerged from with the ball, but which was too robust for Swiss referee Sven Wolfensberger's liking. Even so, Cliftonville took the lead just four minutes later when Glynn did well to play Luke Conlan into space and, though his cross looked to have too much on it, Hale did tremendously to keep it alive and Gormley produced acrobatics to turn it in from close range. Within three minutes, though, the Saints were level with a goal that bore a resemblance to their second goal in Gibraltar, with the hosts' inability to clear their lines punished by Juanma picking his spot from distance. Both teams had their chances to win it in 90 minutes, none better than when Conlan did superbly to put Conor Falls through on goal deep into injury-time, only for Banda's fingertips to turn his shot against the post. When extra-time started, just as they had done at the start of the night, the Reds found themselves picking the ball out of their own net almost immediately when a scramble inside the box saw sub Hugo Jesslen wheeling away after appearing to get the slightest of nicks on the ball. Dead on their feet, Cliftonville did everything they could to force penalties and, having all but abandoned defending, saw Lewis Ridd make a fine stop to deny Jesslen a second right at the death - not that it mattered, with the Saints holding on to book their trip to Dublin. Cliftonville: Ridd, Pepper, Addis, Wilson (McCay 99), Hale (Hawthorne 99), Curran (Gordon 74), Leppard (Sheridan 116), Conlan, Gormley (Falls 81), Glynn (Corrigan 81), Casey. Unused subs: Morrison, Murray, Mahoney. St Joseph's: Banda, Jolley, Javi Paul, Barba, Manuel Sanchez, Rodriguez (Javi Forjan 62), Rey (Santos 107), Gabri Cardozo (Gibson 66), Juanma (Amadou 90), Alvarez (Jesslen 90), Armental (Martinez 62). Unused subs: Zappacosta, Olivero, Volz.
Irish Independent
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
John Downing: Why EU-UK deal on Gibraltar is also good news for Ireland
Gibraltar, at the bottom of Spain with a commanding vista over the Mediterranean, has been a British colony since 1713 and the focus of periodical Madrid-London tensions and repeated blockades. Its strange status is summed up by the Brexit debacle. Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory, but it was among the European Union's forerunners, along with the UK, in January 1973. In June 2016, 96pc of Gibraltarians voted against Brexit, but the territory's 30,000 people were unhappily dragged from the EU, due to the 52pc overall UK vote to quit. My experience in Gibraltar led me to ponder its fate from 2016 onwards, which had parallels with Northern Ireland. My spell there was in autumn 1988, covering a long inquest into the killing of three IRA members who were planning to bomb a British military parade. They should have been arrested, as subsequent inquiries definitively established, but all of that is for another day. Feelings were running very high as many bars frequented by British soldiers, sailors and airmen were off limits to me and colleagues, and I did not often disport my Irish accent, deeming silence wiser. However, the weeks did soften the atmosphere, and we soon learned that the native Gibraltarians, Spanish-speakers with a Catholic background, were the ultimate pragmatists, with their main focus on the commercial opportunities that abound in the region. This deal will protect future generations of British Gibraltarians and does not in any way affect our British sovereignty Thoughts of Gibraltar returned this week as news broke of an EU-UK deal that ended all but a decade in limbo for 'The Rock'. Like last month's EU-UK reset framework trade deal, which brought good news for Ireland, there were predictable cries of 'Brexit sellout' and 'betrayal of Gibraltar' from diehard Brexiteers in UK Reform and the Conservative Party. Never knowingly undersold on Brexit rhetoric, the Daily Mail thundered about disloyalty to Gibraltar, which had held the British front line over the Mediterranean for 300 years. By contrast, Gibraltar's head of government, First Minister Fabian Picardo, hailed the EU-UK compromise, saying it would bring stability and certainty for business. 'This deal will protect future generations of British Gibraltarians and does not in any way affect our British sovereignty,' he told the venerable newspaper, the Gibraltar Chronicle, which has been publishing continuously since 1801. As with Ireland, this EU-UK Gibraltar deal aims to avoid a hard border, this time with Spain, which is crucial to the local economy. Central to the deal is Gibraltar's abandonment of its Vat-free rules, as demanded by Madrid, and a new 'transaction tax' bringing a higher rate of import duty. There will be no systematic identity checks on the Gibraltar-Spain border, but there is controversy around Spanish police doing checks inside Gibraltar at its airport and port. This has been the focus of Brexiteer ire amid allegations of 'sovereignty sellout'. But all sides point to the need to facilitate the estimated 15,000 workers who cross each day in both directions for work and business, and there is now hope that there will be no return to long delays due to identity checks. I am overdue a return to Gibraltar, and I remember affectionately the Irish links with the place, such as the school where the Christian Brothers taught The Spanish police presence in Gibraltar mirrors the presence of French personnel at London's St Pancras Eurostar train station and other arrangements such as US personnel at Dublin and Shannon Airports. Yet it will remain emotive for some as Gibraltar Airport is also an RAF base. I am overdue a return to Gibraltar, and I remember affectionately the Irish links with the place, such as the school where the Christian Brothers taught for many years and the Alameda Gardens, which feature in Joyce's Ulysses. I was surprised to learn there that Ireland's most celebrated fictional heroine, Molly Bloom, was, the story goes, born in Gibraltar.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Starmer is teeing up Gibraltar for another great overseas betrayal
Britain is ceding a major part of its sovereignty over the peninsula of Gibraltar. Ahead of his meeting with Gibraltar's chief minister David Picardo, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy has apparently agreed to hand over discretion over entry and exit into Gibraltar to Spanish and European border guards. The British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has downplayed the significance of Lammy's decision and insists that the terms of the deal with Spain are still being agreed. Nevertheless, the news of Britain giving up its influence over Gibraltar's borders has already triggered fiercely polarised reactions. Defenders of Lammy's agreement argue that it removes a critical obstacle to stronger economic and security cooperation with the European Union (EU). The FCDO has implied that this deal would improve Gibraltar's business climate and not compromise Britain's sovereignty over Gibraltar. Britain's Europe Minister Stephen Doughty has repeatedly declared that the United Kingdom's sovereignty over Gibraltar is non-negotiable. Critics of the deal, however, view it as an act of betrayal that will undermine Britain's border security and control over its overseas territories. Former British Home Secretary Suella Braverman has warned that 'the Falklands will be next' and British Conservative MP Caroline Dinenage tied the decision's timing to Prime Minister Keir Starmer's spending review. While the short-term economic benefits of this compromise should not be discounted, critics of the agreement have compelling arguments. In a November 2002 referendum, 98.97 per cent of Gibraltarians voted against sharing the sovereignty of Gibraltar with Spain. The restoration of full British border control over Gibraltar in 2020 was the direct consequence of Britons voting to leave the EU in June 2016. A unilateral handover of Gibraltar's border security to Spain and Europe is an anti-democratic gesture, as it was not preceded by any form of plebiscite. It also runs against the grain of current public opinion, as there is widespread support for a Gibraltar MP in the House of Commons. Most people in Gibraltar want more UK-Gibraltar integration, not less. Moreover, it reflects an alarming willingness to undermine Britain's sovereignty over its overseas territories. Britain's handover of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius was a blow to its global power projection and has potentially enabled Chinese expansionism in the Indian Ocean. The forced integration of Gibraltar with Spain, which has much more open migration policies and struggles with maritime illegal immigration, continues this worrying trend. While Falkland Islands Governor Alison Blake has hailed Britain's unwavering commitment today to sovereignty of the islands, can these assurances really be believed? To anyone watching Starmer's handling of Chagos and Gibraltar, no is the justified answer. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
North Wales Chronicle
11-06-2025
- Business
- North Wales Chronicle
Lammy holding talks on post-Brexit deal for Gibraltar
Mr Lammy held talks with Gibraltar's leaders, members of the opposition and the business community before leaving the British overseas territory to head to Brussels on Wednesday morning. Talks on rules governing the border of Spain and Gibraltar have been ongoing since Britain left the European Union in 2020, but an agreement has not yet been reached. The PA news agency understands that a deal has not yet been reached and there are still a number of sticking points. A Foreign Office source said: 'We're working to secure an agreement that works for the people and businesses in Gibraltar. 'An agreement that will protect British sovereignty, supports Gibraltar's economy and allows businesses to plan for the future.' Ministers have insisted no deal will be done without the full support of Gibraltar's government. Mr Lammy held talks with chief minister Fabian Picardo in Gibraltar along with the UK's overseas territories minister Stephen Doughty. Today, with @DavidLammy and @SDoughtyMP we held a Cabinet meeting in No6 Convent Place to agree final parameters for negotiation. We will now travel to Brussels to meet @MarosSefcovic and @jmalbares. It's time to try to finalise arrangements for lasting, stable relationship… — Fabian Picardo (@FabianPicardo) June 11, 2025 The ministers and Mr Picardo then travelled to Brussels for talks with the EU and Spanish representatives. In a post on X on Wednesday morning, Mr Picardo said it is 'time to try to finalise arrangements for lasting, stable relationship between Gibraltar and the EU/Spain which is safe, secure and beneficial'. But officials close to the talks said there were still 'hard negotiations ahead'. Gibraltar was ceded to the UK by Spain in 1713 and the population is heavily in favour of remaining a British overseas territory. The last time it voted on a proposal to share sovereignty with Spain, in 2002, almost 99% of Gibraltarians rejected the move. Gibraltar also hosts an RAF base at its airport and an important naval facility. The Government, in line with its Conservative predecessors, has said it will not sign up to a deal that gives sovereignty over Gibraltar to another country, or that the Gibraltarian government is not content with. The strategic defence review, released earlier this month, said the UK would maintain a military presence in Gibraltar, 'upholding the sovereignty of British Gibraltar territorial waters'.
Powys County Times
11-06-2025
- Business
- Powys County Times
Lammy holding talks on post-Brexit deal for Gibraltar
Foreign Secretary David Lammy will have talks with the European Union and Spain in Brussels as a post-Brexit deal on Gibraltar appears close. Mr Lammy held talks with Gibraltar's leaders, members of the opposition and the business community before leaving the British overseas territory to head to Brussels on Wednesday morning. Talks on rules governing the border of Spain and Gibraltar have been ongoing since Britain left the European Union in 2020, but an agreement has not yet been reached. The PA news agency understands that a deal has not yet been reached and there are still a number of sticking points. A Foreign Office source said: 'We're working to secure an agreement that works for the people and businesses in Gibraltar. 'An agreement that will protect British sovereignty, supports Gibraltar's economy and allows businesses to plan for the future.' Ministers have insisted no deal will be done without the full support of Gibraltar's government. Mr Lammy held talks with chief minister Fabian Picardo in Gibraltar along with the UK's overseas territories minister Stephen Doughty. Today, with @DavidLammy and @SDoughtyMP we held a Cabinet meeting in No6 Convent Place to agree final parameters for negotiation. We will now travel to Brussels to meet @MarosSefcovic and @jmalbares. It's time to try to finalise arrangements for lasting, stable relationship… — Fabian Picardo (@FabianPicardo) June 11, 2025 The ministers and Mr Picardo then travelled to Brussels for talks with the EU and Spanish representatives. In a post on X on Wednesday morning, Mr Picardo said it is 'time to try to finalise arrangements for lasting, stable relationship between Gibraltar and the EU/Spain which is safe, secure and beneficial'. But officials close to the talks said there were still 'hard negotiations ahead'. Gibraltar was ceded to the UK by Spain in 1713 and the population is heavily in favour of remaining a British overseas territory. The last time it voted on a proposal to share sovereignty with Spain, in 2002, almost 99% of Gibraltarians rejected the move. Gibraltar also hosts an RAF base at its airport and an important naval facility. The Government, in line with its Conservative predecessors, has said it will not sign up to a deal that gives sovereignty over Gibraltar to another country, or that the Gibraltarian government is not content with.
