Olympiacos Nicosia issued a statement criticizing Barcelona for organizing an academy camp in the occupied territories.
The “Black-and-Greens” condemn this action and are asking the Spanish team to reconsider its decision.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
The statement: “Olympiakos Nicosia unequivocally condemns FC Barcelona’s intention to organize a soccer camp in the occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus, as well as the use of the term ‘Northern Cyprus’ on the Spanish club’s official website.
A team with the global prestige and history of FC Barcelona must demonstrate particular sensitivity to issues related to the occupation, international law, and the territorial integrity of a state.
As Olympiacos Nicosia, as the club of a city that has remained divided for 52 years due to the Turkish invasion and occupation, we cannot remain indifferent to actions that create the impression of normality and legitimize the current illegal situation.
Sports should unite people and promote peace and mutual respect. However, it cannot ignore historical reality.
We call on the management of FC Barcelona to immediately reconsider this decision, to remove the reference to the term “Northern Cyprus,” and to refrain from holding the camp in question.
At the same time, we consider it self-evident that the Republic of Cyprus and the relevant institutions must take all necessary steps in this direction.
What some call “Northern Cyprus” is the occupied territory of our homeland. It is our cities, our villages, our homes. It is everything that was forcibly taken from us.
We refuse to forget. We refuse to compromise.
Nicosia is one. Cyprus is one.”
