Under the title “The irresponsible publications were condemned”, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (24.10.12) reports that the Turkish Cypriot Sport Writers’ Association (KTSYD) and the Turkish Cypriot Journalists’ Union (KTGB) issued a joint statement yesterday warning that tension might be created by the ongoing provocative publications in some media in Turkey before AEL Limassol and Turkish Fenerbahce football clubs in Lefkosia, within the framework of UEFA Europa League. The statement is signed by the chairmen of the two organizations, Ogun Genc Kacmaz and Huseyin Guven respectively.
The statement says the following: “We are saddened by the effort exerted recently, especially in some media in Turkey, to turn a sport event into a field of political struggle and a flag crisis. Everybody who is prudent, and especially the press, should know the following: this kind of matches will be held in the future as well in the same manner they are held today, and Greek Cypriot teams which are recognized by FIFA will be meeting with teams from Turkey. No one will benefit by causing crisis in a period during which the Turkish Cypriot Football Federation is holding contacts with officials, in spite of the embargo implemented in the field of sports. There are more than enough fields of tension between the Turkish and Greek Cypriot peoples and they cannot tolerate tension regarding a football match to be added to these.
It should not be forgotten that a lot of Fenerbahce supporters will go and many press representatives, sport writers from northern Cyprus will be on duty for this match. Irresponsible and nationalistic publications might cause trouble to these spectators and the responsibility for this will be on the shoulders of those who escalate tension with these provocative publications”.
Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (24.10.12) reports that the Fenerbahce officials, who handed over 1000 tickets to their two fan clubs in the occupied area of Cyprus, were those who put the condition of not carrying flags of Turkey and the “TRNC” to the match. Noting that it has obtained the “secret agreement” signed between Fenerbahce and its two fan clubs, Havadis writes that both fan clubs have signed this agreement. The fifth paragraph of this agreement says that “flags of Turkey and the TRNC will not be carried, only flags of Fenerbahce”.
Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibrisli newspaper (24.10.12) reports that the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a notice urging the Turkish citizens to avoid traveling to the government-controlled area of Cyprus in order to watch the game. The ministry suggested to those who will go to the match not to carry Turkish flags and Turkish money with them. The notice was sent to Fenerbahce Sport Club, the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Football Federation.