The Gibraltar FA said it is "physically and logistically impossible" to stage the number of football matches needed to compete in the Island Games 2019 held in Gibraltar, but are looking to explore different ways with GIGA in which the sport can be offered during the Games. 

A spokesman for the GFA said: The Gibraltar FA is delighted that Gibraltar has been chosen to host the 2019 Island Games and as a result the Gibraltar FA would like to congratulate Linda Alvarez and all of her team at GIGA in bringing the Island Games back to Gibraltar.

"Football is the largest sport in the Island Games in terms of participation numbers. In Jersey this year, there were 16 islands participating in the Men's Football tournament and another 11 islands participating in Women's Football tournament.

"At this moment in time, with only one football stadium in Gibraltar (the Victoria Stadium) it is physically and logistically impossible to stage the amount of matches needed to complete both Men’s & Women’s tournaments simultaneously within the period of time the Island Games competition runs for.

"It may be that by 2019 we will have more football facilities in Gibraltar, but even then the size of the two football tournaments in the Island Games in their current format is such that they might still prove impossible to host.

"The Gibraltar FA will nonetheless look to explore with GIGA ways in which a tournament with a smaller format, perhaps with pre-qualification taking place elsewhere, might work alongside the Island Games proper. The Gibraltar FA is ready to contribute to making the Games a success for all of Gibraltar in 2019." 

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