The agreement signed in Zurich by the Cyprus Turkish Football Federation and Cyprus Football Federation and which would enable Turkish Cypriot teams to participate in international games under the umbrella of Cyprus Football Federation, gave rise to a heated debate in the Northern part of Cyprus.

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The agreement provides for the Cyprus Turkish Football Federation to become a member of the Cyprus Football Federation.

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According to the news report in the Yenidüzen newspaper, President Derviş Eroğlu of North Cyprus, stated that the agreement may not be considered as a positive development for the “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” and the Turkish Cypriot people. He underlined that he is sure the Turkish Cypriots would not accept coming under the rule of the Greek Cypriot administration.

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Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Tourism, Culture and Sports Serdar Denktaş stated that Federation President Hasan Sertoğlu, has made a mistake by signing the agreement and added that he had previously warned Sertoğlu against doing this. Denktaş stated that the “TRNC” football should become a part of the Turkish league.

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On the other hand, former Presidents Ömer Adal and Niyazi Okutan of the Cyprus Turkish Football Federation, told Aysu Basri Akter on Genç TV, that they would do everything necessary to have the agreement approved by the Turkish Cypriot teams. The former presidents stated that the only solution for Turkish Cypriot football under the current circumstances is through membership in the Cyprus Football Federation.

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After signing the agreement in Zurich, Sertoğlu had said that the text is only a draft and added that they would negotiate and try to amend it. Cyprus Football Federation president Kostakis Kutsokumbis, on the other hand, had rejected this statement by saying that the agreement had been signed in the presence of UEFA and FIFA and would not be negotiated.

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