March 22 – The president of Turkish-run Northern Cyprus, Mustafa Akinci, reportedly snubbed a landmark football match against Greek Cypriot opposition on the divided island this week because of a dispute over where it was played.
The fixture, between Greek Cypriot club Nea Salamina Ammochostou and Turkish Cypriot club Magusa Türk Gücü aimed at fostering political dialogue between the two sides, took place in the mixed village of Pyla which sits in the UN-patrolled buffer zone and spreads into the Greek Cypriot area.
The match was attended by Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades but not his counterpart who complained the game should have taken place in the buffer zone and not in land controlled by the official Greek Cypriot authorities.
“It was not possible for us to take part after it had no longer any links to the principles put forward in advance,” Akinci told journalists. “In the buffer region, it would be equal… but this development created a new situation.”
He said that he was not in principle against attending joint events across the border, but only if such events were also held in the north.
The two teams, originally based in Famagusta, competed with their regular players in the first half and mixed their squads in the second. The game was organised by Stelios Philanthropic Foundation and the Peace and Sport organisation.
United Nations peacekeeping officials attended as did Chelsea legend and deputy vice president of Peace and Sport, Didier Drogba.
Historic efforts to use football as a tool for change on the island, which have gone all the way to FIFA, have repeatedly been blocked locally and not for the first time, this week’s game was marred by deep-rooted political divisions.
Reports claimed Greek Cypriot authorities refused permission for Turkish Cypriot television to show the game live in the north of the island but also that Akinci’s decision to stay away meant a huge opportunity was lost for the respective leaders to give a strong message of peace and cooperation.
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