The Speaker of the Republic’s Assembly Zorlu Töre has reacted to the statement made by the Greek Cypriot Football Federation President Giorgos Koumas that “We can never allow the status of football in Cyprus to change and for Turkish Cypriot youth to open up to the world”.

Criticising the Greek Cypriot Football Federation for its statement, the Speaker of the Republic’s Assembly Zorlu Töre said that FIFA, the UEFA and South Cyprus should be embarrassed and ashamed that the Turkish Cypriot youth are unable to participate in international sporting events.

Töre said that Turkish Cypriot football was subjected to embargoes before UEFA and FIFA as a result of the pressure of the Greek Cypriot side and noted that the inability of young people to open up to the world is disappointing.

Stating that everyone has the right to play sports despite their gender or age, Töre reminded that the Turkish Cypriot football teams were members of the Cyprus Football Federation until 1955 and that due to the terrorist EOKA group members’ reactions; the Turkish Cypriot Football Federation was established.

Stating that the Greek Cypriot side still maintains the mentality of the Middle Ages and that UEFA and FIFA support this, Töre said “FIFA, the UEFA and the Greek Cypriot Football Federation and the world should be ashamed that the Turkish Cypriot youth cannot play sports in the international arena”.

Töre noted that there is no justice in the world or the European Union and that they have experienced this with the embargoes.