James Stokes VC CSC

#Cyprus — Following the controversy that began on the island after Cypriot side Omonoia were drawn against Turkish side Beşiktaş in the UEFA Europa League, Omonoia24, the club’s independent news site, published a text titled “Leave Omonoia out of your nationalist hysteria…” The text criticised the discussions among far-right nationalist circles following the Beşiktaş draw, stating: “The draw brought Beşiktaş into Omonoia’s path and, almost automatically, everything except football began to enter the discussion in various parts of the public debate.Let’s make something clear from the very beginning.Omonoia is going there to play football. Nothing more and nothing less.Opposing them will be one of Turkey’s major clubs, Beşiktaş, in the Europa League. A European match, with huge sporting significance and its own distinct footballing importance. There is no need for anyone to burden this fixture with nationalist slogans, political agendas, or attempt to use Omonoia to serve narratives that have nothing to do with what happens on the pitch.Leave Omonoia out of all this.” Far-right circles and some supporter groups in Cyprus accuse Omonoia supporters of being “Turkish” because of their anti-racist and anti-fascist stance. Following the split of Gate 9, one of the major ultras groups in the Omonoia stands, another ultras group called Semper Fidelis 48 emerged in the stands. The group holds anti-fascist views.