Ruling Moves Gibraltar Closer to FIFA Membership

Photo Gibraltar’s under-17 team in 2013, the year its soccer association was granted full membership by UEFA, European soccer’s governing body, despite opposition from Spain.The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled Monday that Gibraltar’s soccer association had the right to become a member of FIFA, a decision that could allow Gibraltar’s national team to earn last-minute admission into qualifying for the 2018 World Cup.

The ruling by CAS, as the court is known, comes after years of court battles, political maneuvering and rejection surrounding Gibraltar’s bid for membership in FIFA, soccer’s global governing body. Gibraltar’s quest for full membership is still subject to a vote by FIFA at…