By Andrew Warshaw, chief correspondent
November 7 – A joint football league could be resurrected in Cyprus within two years as a result of this week’s historic deal between Greek and Turkish Cypriot officials and FIFA. That’s the view of Hasan Sertoglu (pictured), head of the unofficial Cyprus Turkish Football Association (CTFA) following the provisional arrangement signed by both sides to organise the sport on the divided Mediterreanan island.
After months of sensitive negotiations, a major breakthrough was reached on Tuesday ending decades of mistrust and disunity between the respective footballing communities.
Cyprus has been split into two parts for four decades since the Turkish military intervention in the north in 1974. Turkey is the only nation to recognise the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and while the United Nations has failed to bring about any lasting progress, football has acted as the driving force for change.
The provisional arrangement, signed at FIFA headquarters by both Sertoglu and his Cyprus Football Association (CFA) opposite number Costakis Koutsokoumnis, has been hailed as a “major milestone” by FIFA.
Under the arrangement, the CTFA becomes a member of the CFA as an association in accordance with the CFA’s statutes and regulations, the goal being to “unify and facilitate the progress of football within the football communities … through a relationship based on trust, mutual respect and goodwill.”
In an interview with InsideWorldFootball, Sertoglu said this week’s deal could not be under-estimated even though the Turkish side did not get everything it wanted, notably exactly how much representation the CTFA will have in the new-look CFA.
“Tuesday was a very historical day for both Greeks and Turks,” said Sertoglu. “The arrangement doesn’t satisfy us 100% because there are some issues that need to be solved before our general assembly in December such as to what extent we can take part in the decision-making process.”
“The percentage of our representation has not been clarified, nor has the number of clubs we might have in a united league or allowing us to play international friendlies. But the arrangement will give us international recognition through the CFA and provide massive motivation for our young people.”
The Cyprus Football Association was established in 1934 by six Greek Cypriot clubs and two Turkish Cypriot clubs. It joined FIFA in 1948 and Greek and Turkish Cypriot clubs played together in an all-island league until 1955 when they were forced to go their separate ways because of inter-communal tensions.
According to the wording of the deal, seen by Insideworldfootball, the seven-parameter arrangement only becomes binding on both parties upon approval by their respective General Assemblies. It can also be terminated, at any time, by either the CFA or the CTFA, unilaterally or by mutual agreement. With radicals still on both sides, such clauses could potentially torpedo the future but Sertoglu is optimistic.
“I really believe that with the good intentions of both sides we will be able to solve these issues in a short time,” he said. “I believe we will have a joint league but I would say we are looking at a minimum two years. It is not easy to organise a re-united league though we will try and minimise that period.”
Sertoglu used the case of Bosnia-Herzegovina, which is heading to their first World Cup as a unified team, as a shining example of what can be achieved when political and ethnic tensions are put aside.
“Look what has happened in Bosnia. It’s incredible for us even to get to this point. We hope we can achieve the same thing. I can’t put a time limit on it but we will work very hard. Football is quite different from politics. It connects people.”
This week’s deal was brokered by Jerome Champagne, former FIFA Deputy General Secretary who has been advising the Cyprus Turkish FA.
Champagne played a key role in FIFA’s attempt in 2008 to try and end the deadlock, which stalled because of political interference.
“I feel today extremely proud and happy at the signing of the CFA-CTFA ‘provisional agreement’ after 58 years of division of football on the island, 30 years of isolation for Turkish-Cypriot football, a huge amount of phone calls and informal meetings – and ten versions of the draft,” Champagne said.
“But a lot remains to be achieved to translate these agreed parameters into realities on the ground. This is our task ahead.”
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