What are the Possible Problems Before the Larnaca-Fenerbahce Match?

Olimpics

There is a relationship between sports and international relations throughout history. In other words, sport has always been on the agenda as an element affecting international relations. The 42,195-meter marathon, which is the closing competition of the Olympics today, was named after the Battle of Marathon between the Athenians and the Persians in 490 BC. Defeated in land battles, the Persians decided to attack Athens from the sea. The army messenger Pheidippides ran 42,195 meters without stopping to deliver the news of this attack to Athens, but died of exhaustion and exhaustion.

It was the French Baron de Coubartin, founder of the modern Olympics and champion of the spirit of Olympism, who revived the Olympics in 1896. When de Coubartin said "it is important to participate, not to win", he was probably aiming for the Olympics to be held in the years to come with a lot of participation, no matter what. Meanwhile, it has been observed that, especially since the beginning of the 20th century, the Olympics have become a focal point of the international system, sometimes at a low level, sometimes at a high level, depending on the course of relations and conflicts between states, political events and movements. There are many examples in this regard.

For instance, in the Summer Olympic Games held in Berlin in 1936, the US government of the time planned for 19 African-American athletes to participate. The fact that Jesse Owens ran the final of the 1936 Berlin Olympics as an African-American athlete was read as a reaction to the concept of "Eugenics-Aryan race" advocated by Hitler. Owens' winning the 100-meter final in 10.3 seconds virtually ended the concept of the Aryan race before it even began. Because in this race, Hitler's favorite German athlete Erich Borchmeyerna did not even make the top three. The first two athletes were African-Americans.

Contrary to popular belief, it was not Jesse Owens who caused Hitler to leave the Berlin Stadium at the 1936 Olympics. It was another African-American athlete, Cornelius Cooper Johnson, who won the high jump on the first day of the Olympics. On the contrary, Hitler had saluted Owens and his friend at the medal ceremony to avoid further backlash. In fact, by enlisting the participation of 19 African-American athletes in Berlin, the American government also aimed to respond to rising racism on American soil. In other words, sport was also used as an important issue in maintaining domestic politics.

Towards the end of the Cold War, the Olympics continued to be seen as an instrument for the Eastern and Western blocs to continue the Cold War using sports. After the Russian invasion of Afghanistan, the Western Bloc boycotted the 1980 Moscow Olympics and the Eastern Bloc boycotted the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics in retaliation. The 1980 Moscow Olympics were boycotted by the majority of Western countries and some Muslim countries as well.

The latest example of sports shaping international politics and relations is Turkey's security support for the World Cup in Qatar in November 2022. It was previously announced that Turkish police would be on duty in Qatar. While preparing this article, it was learned that the presidential decree on the use of the Turkish Armed Forces in Qatar had been sent to the TMBM. Qatar has opened a mission called "Operation World Cup Shield" to the participation of Turkey and other countries in order to ensure that the World Cup is held in safety. Currently, the USA, France, the UK, Italy and Pakistan have indicated that they will participate in this mission. Turkey is also likely to participate. Such a military mission and operation is being established for the first time in a sports organization.

In conclusion, it can be said that sports has been and will continue to be an important component in domestic politics, inter-state relations and politics since the day it came into existence.

International Law and Participation of the Republic of Cyprus in Sports Organizations

There is no international law or document regarding the participation of the Republic of Cyprus in international organizations. In fact, Turkish Cypriot universities can participate in EUSA (European University Sports Association) organizations, whose partners include the EU Commission and the Council of Europe. The University Sports Federations of the Republic of Cyprus and Turkey applied to EUSA in 2018 and had this decision taken despite the opposition of the Greek Cypriot side. However, despite this, it is seen that there are political obstacles to participating in the organizations of International Sports Federations with the name of the Republic of Cyprus.

UN Resolutions 541 and 550 can be cited as international legal documents on two independent states in Cyprus, which the Greek Cypriot side brings to the forefront at every opportunity, but which are considered to be controversial today. However, these resolutions do not contain any statement on sports sanctions. In fact, given the constant mention of goodwill in both resolutions, what better attempt at goodwill than sports?

In fact, the Ukraine-Russia war shows us that the International Sports Federations are a political as well as a sporting union. Currently, Russian and Belarusian sports teams and delegations are banned from participating in almost all international competitions and organizations.

In fact, one of the most important arguments for the Republic of Cyprus to take part in international organizations is Russia's participation in the 2022 Beijing Summer Olympics under the ROC name. After it was discovered that Russian athletes were doping with the help of the state, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) banned Russia from using "its name, flag and anthem in any world championship event for two years" in 2021. Following this decision, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) jointly decided that Russia would participate in the Olympics as the ROC (Russia Olympic Committee). There is no country and flag in the world under the name of ROC, and there is no UN member country under this name. So the following argument can be made here. There is no requirement to be a member of the UN or to be recognized by all members of the UN in order to participate in the Olympics or any other international sports organization. Participation in sports organizations may well be flexible in certain circumstances.

International Sports Organizations and Cyprus

Although the sports organizations of the Republic of Cyprus can take part in some international organizations as mentioned above, when it comes to sports branches that can be followed by the masses such as football, basketball and volleyball, obstacles arise. In fact, one side of the coin is the ability of the Republic of Cyprus to participate in international sports organizations, while the other side is the obligation of Greek Cypriot teams and Turkish teams, recognized by Turkey as "Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus-GCASC", to play matches in some international organizations. So far, Trabzon and Fenerbahçe have played against Greek Cypriot teams many times in football. In these encounters, there have generally been two major problem areas. The first is the flag and the other is the transportation of Turkish teams to the Greek side and Greek teams to Turkey. In addition, high tension matches were also played in basketball and volleyball. Some of the important ones can be mentioned as follows.

First, in the Champions League qualifying match between Trabzonspor and Anothisosis Famagusta in 2005-2006, Trabzon won the first match 1-0 but lost 3-1 in the second match. This match was marked by a flag crisis. In this match, the stadium authorities of the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus (probably with the support of the state) not only did not hang the Turkish flag, which they were officially required to hang in the stadium, but also did not allow the Turkish and Turkish flags of the fans from the Republic of Cyprus to enter the stadium. After this match, UEFA was expected to fine Famagusta approximately CHF 15.000.

The following year, in the 2006-2007 season, Trabzonspor was paired with Apoel Nicosia in the UEFA Cup preliminary qualifiers. The first match ended 1-1 and Trabzonspor won the second match 1-0 to advance. Trabzon traveled to South Cyprus for this match via Rhodes instead of Athens.

In the 2012-2013 season, Trabzon first faced Apollon Limassol and Trabzon defeated Limassol 2-1 away from home. However, before the match, Trabzon's team and players were subjected to all kinds of difficulties on security grounds. In the same season, Fenerbahçe played Limassol in the UEFA Cup and advanced with 2-0 and 0-1 results. Apart from some minor incidents, there were no significant incidents in this match. Fenerbahçe traveled to Limassol via Greece.

Before the women's volleyball match between Turkey and the GASC in Ankara on 05 January 2014, the hall authorities refused to display the GASC flag, but the crisis was overcome after the international observer of the match canceled the match and said that the Turkish Federation and the Turkish team would be fined. Another eventful match in women's volleyball was the CEV Cup match between Apollon Limassol and Galatasaray in December 2011. In this match, fans from Limassol attacked Galatasaray women players.

Next week, on October 06, Fenerbahçe will play AEK Larnaca in the UEFA Europa League, the first match in Istanbul and the second match in Larnaca on October 13. Both matches have already had and continue to have repercussions not only in Turkey and the Greek Cypriot Republic of Cyprus but also in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Since the match was announced, speculations have started to be made about the match. This time, the political parties in the Republic of Cyprus were also involved in these speculations. The supporters of the Federation say, "Here is the opportunity, if you advocate two states, let Fenerbahçe come to the Greek Cypriot side through the Republic of Cyprus". On the other hand, those in favor of a two-state solution see Fenerbahçe going to the Greek Cypriot side via the Republic of Cyprus as support for a two-state solution. Both sides seem to have a common point, perhaps rarely. However, in the background, the pro-federationists argue that bringing this issue to the agenda now will not bring it to life and, moreover, will lead to the bankruptcy of the two-state solution. Those in favor of a two-state solution, on the other hand, argue that such a decision would constitute an important start, regardless of the outcome.

Conclusion

In such an environment where the political situation is very tense due to the US Congress lifting the arms embargo on the Greek Cypriot side, it is considered that it would not be right to leave Fenerbahçe alone on this issue and to force it to take such a decision that will have political effects. It is envisaged that initiatives are being taken by the authorities of the Republic of Turkey and the Republic of Cyprus. It is thought that this issue, including the participation of the Republic of Cyprus in international sports organizations, may have been on the agenda during President Erdoğan's meetings with FIFA President Infantino and UN officials at the Turkish House in New York, where he was in New York for the UN summit.

Considering the tensions in the previous matches, it is possible that the tension in both matches is high and may have political implications beyond sports,

Sports has an important impact on the expression and recognition of the just cause of the Republic of Cyprus in the international arena and more emphasis should be placed on this issue,

It is envisaged that UEFA is more influenced by the EU, while the FIFA and the International Olympic Committee have a more flexible perspective on this issue.

References:

-Marathon Savaşı, https://www.tarihiolaylar.com/tarihi-olaylar/maraton-muharebesi-123

-Modern Olimpiyatlar, https://olimpiyatkomitesi.org.tr/Detay/Olimpiyatlar/Olimpiyat-Oyunlari-Tarihi/44/1

-Jesse Owens, https://www.indyturk.com/node/394456/ya%C5%9Fam/1-y%C3%BCz-1-i%CC%87nsan-jesse-owens-

- Moskova ve Los angeles Olimpiyatları Boykot Kararı “Allen GUTTMANN (1988), “The Cold War and the Olympics” International Journal, 43(3), 554-568, Çeviri: Özgür Yılmaz. https://dergipark.org.tr/en/download/article-file/1529632

-Katar tezkeresi https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/politika/katar-tezkeresi-meclis-baskanligina-sunuldu/2700175

-EUSA https://www.eusa.eu/eusa/partners-sponsors

-BM 541 ve 550 sayılı kararları, https://www.milliyet.com.tr/yerel-haberler/istanbul/marasin-gelecegi-icin-cozum-onerileri-ve-alternatifler-12493281

https://www.kktcb.org/tr/belgeler/birlesmis-milletler/guvenlik-konseyi-kararlari

-ROC https://tr.euronews.com/2021/02/19/rusya-ya-doping-cezas-rus-tak-m-icin-yeni-isim-ve-bayrak-secildi

-Fenerbahçe-Limasol Maçları https://www.tff.org/default.aspx?pageID=267&ftxtID=16601

-Famagusta bayrak krizi, https://www.haberts.com/kibrista-bayrak-krizi

-Olaylı voleybol maçı, https://www.cnnturk.com/2011/spor/diger.sporlar/12/09/rum.taraftarlar.galatasaraya.saldirdi/639807.0/index.html