Gibraltar granted UEFA membership

Gibraltar have been admitted into UEFA as the 54th member nation.

European football's governing body initially rejected the island's application before the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled in their favour.

UEFA president Michel Platini revealed at the organisation's annual congress on Thursday that a number of countries voted for Gibraltar, who have a population of around 30,000, to be included.

The nation is now eligible to take part in the qualifying stages for the European Championship in 2016, while their clubs will be allowed into the Champions League and the Europa League.