Following Nea Salamina’s letter to Barcelona regarding the youth academy camp in the occupied territories, Anorthosis also took a stance.
The Famagusta-based team condemns the Spanish club’s decision and calls on it to cancel the youth academy camp. Furthermore, it calls on the Cypriot government and the Cyprus Football Association (CFA) to take the necessary action immediately.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
The statement: “Anorthosis Famagusta unequivocally condemns FC Barcelona’s intention to organize a soccer camp in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus, as well as the use of the non-existent term ‘Northern Cyprus.’
For a club that was forcibly uprooted from Famagusta in 1974 and has been deprived of its city and its natural home for 52 years due to the Turkish occupation, this is not a matter of soccer. It is a matter of occupation, international legitimacy, and dignity.
“Més que un club” also means greater responsibility. The history and global stature of FC Barcelona are incompatible with actions that lend an air of normality to the occupied territory of a European state.
And of course, personal relationships and business interests end where the occupation of a homeland begins.
We call on President Joan Laporta and the FC Barcelona administration to immediately cancel this training camp, to withdraw any reference to the non-existent term “Northern Cyprus,” and to publicly apologize to the Republic of Cyprus and the refugee community for this unacceptable action.
At the same time, we call on the Government of the Republic of Cyprus and the Cyprus Football Federation to take all necessary actions immediately. When it comes to issues of occupation and national sovereignty, there is no room for tolerance or inaction.
There is no such thing as “Northern Cyprus.” There is only occupied territory of the Republic of Cyprus.
Occupation does not become the norm simply because the emblem of a major soccer club is displayed there.”
