Talks between the KTFF and KOP, which had been ongoing for a long time, were put into writing in Zurich last week, and as the details emerged, a series of debates followed. Some criticized Sertoğlu, while others expressed their support. There is no doubt that you followed the process… I believe there is little point in getting into the substance of the debates. Mr. Sertoğlu made remarks addressing the debates at a press conference earlier this week.
Now, we have a written and signed document before us, and I think what happens next is more important! So, what will happen from now on? Looking at the statements made by the Turkish side (KTFF), the document in question needs to be developed. In other words, it needs to be discussed, and the details need to be clarified further. The Greek Cypriot side (KOP), meanwhile, is determined that the document should not be altered or renegotiated. Yes, an interim agreement has been signed, and the debate is closed. But there are many issues that need to be discussed beyond the signed document. According to Mr. Sertoğlu, Blatter shares the same view… There are many points concerning the arrangements it introduces, beyond the document’s current form, for which the question “how?” needs to be asked. My humble advice to Mr. Sertoğlu is to sit down with KOP again before meeting with the football clubs and discuss and determine, in every detail, how the interim arrangement in question will be implemented. I am sure he will face many questions in the meetings he is about to hold. For example: How will the “Steering Committee,” made up of four representatives each from KOP and KTFF and set out in Article 4, which will regulate many vital issues, operate? How will disagreements be resolved? Following membership in KOP, as set out in Article 1, and our clubs becoming members of KOP as a matter of course, how will the leagues be organized? How many of our teams will join the KOP league? Or will they join at all? Will a joint league be established? Could the KOP presidency rotate? Or could our representation in KOP eventually enable a Turkish Cypriot to become KOP president? And so on… I think it would be healthier to meet with the clubs and hold a vote once these issues have been clarified.
Leaving all this aside, the question of how this issue is being discussed in the Greek Cypriot side will, I think, shed more light on the current situation. For this reason, I discussed the issue with my dear friend Niko Stelya, Kathimerini’s North Cyprus–Turkey Desk Editor. First, I asked him, “How has the KOP-KTFF agreement been received in the South?” Here is what Niko says: “The agreement was received positively in the south of the island. According to the Greek Cypriot press, for the first time in 50 years, the Turkish Cypriot side has taken a very important step toward establishing a partnership with the Greek Cypriot side. From the Greek Cypriot side’s perspective, the Turkish Cypriot side has, for the first time, agreed to the establishment of a joint Cypriot institution in a sport. This important step could serve as a guide in the negotiations.”
There is no doubt that, after many years, there is a possibility of a partnership between Greeks and Turks on some issue. The Greek Cypriot side’s perspective on this partnership is very important. At this point, what does the agreement mean to Greek Cypriots? Niko answered my question as follows: “The Greek Cypriot side interprets the agreement very differently from the Turkish side. According to Greek Cypriot sports writers, under the agreement, the Turkish Cypriot Football Super League will henceforth become part of the Cyprus leagues. Under the new model, Turkish Cypriot teams will initially compete in the lower divisions. It has not yet been decided whether these teams will move up to the higher leagues and the Cypriot (Greek) Super League in the future. However, according to Greek Cypriot writers, future developments will bring this possibility onto the agenda.”
That is how the Greek Cypriot side perceives the agreement. As I noted above, there is a signed document, and now, instead of discussing why it was signed, we need to talk about the future. It seems that this debate has already begun in the Greek Cypriot side… The position of Turkish teams in the leagues and the possibility of their playing in the Greek Cypriot Super League are being discussed. So, are Greek Cypriots ready for this? Here is what Niko says: “The majority of Greek Cypriots are definitely not ready for such a scenario. For example, the prospect of a team like Çetinkaya representing Cyprus internationally could be viewed negatively by a large part of the Greek Cypriot community. Historical concerns and prejudices remain current in the south of the island. In the future, if the Turkish side insists on the common Cypriot ground and voices this principle in the international arena, it could bring significant benefits to the Turkish Cypriot side with regard to the Cyprus problem as a whole—contrary to what some political authorities argue.”
In fact, there are many issues both sides need to prepare for. On the other hand, could the agreement reached in Zurich on November 5 bring the British model onto the agenda? How do Greek Cypriots view this? Niko answered my question as follows: “Greek Cypriots oppose this model. From their perspective, a very different model is applied in Britain under a special agreement. Under this model, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland have autonomous football structures and their own leagues. These autonomous regions also have their own national teams. Greek Cypriots consider such a model problematic in terms of their political interests. In their view, such a model would bring the issue of the island’s partition back into focus.”
That is where things stand, and that is how the issue has been received in the Greek Cypriot side. In my view, we should continue the process from here with a constructive and well-intentioned approach. During this process, both communities and their politicians will need to provide a great deal of support to the KTFF and KOP.
Because perhaps the keys to a solution lie within football?
What do you think?