UEFA says Turkish Cypriots turned down proposal to join KOP

UEFA Vice President Marios Lefkaritis said on Thursday that the Turkish Cypriots had ''in fact declined the proposal of FIFA and UEFA'' for their ''federation'' to join the Cyprus Football Federation (KOP) instead of separate Turkish Cypriot clubs to become members of KOP.

Lefkaritis clarified that the proposal of FIFA and UEFA had not originated from KOP but was the result of many meetings and discussions.

He said the counterproposal of the Turkish Cypriots to create a new smaller federation or administrative committee until the solution of the Cyprus problem was something ''neither KOP nor FIFA can accept.''

In statements to CNA, Lefkaritis said FIFA's proposal was ''a huge concession for KOP'' since the Federation would have to make various adjustments and statutory amendments, taking into account that KOP's general assembly comprises clubs.

Asked if the Turkish Cypriot football clubs could join KOP, Lefkaritis said they could and that there were procedures in place that they would have to follow.