Turkey's Claims of Isolation of Turkish Cypriots Contradicted by its Own Actions

The Turkish side accuses the isolation of Turkish Cypriots, however, this accusation is disputed as Turkey itself appears to impose restrictions. Specifically, no Turkish football team visits the occupied territories for friendly matches, fearing sanctions from UEFA. A recent incident confirms this contradiction: two Turkish Cypriot athletes, champions in Turkey, did not receive "grey passports" to participate in competitions in Bulgaria, forcing them to return to the occupied territories. This case highlights the political dimension of sports and the difficulties faced by Turkish Cypriot athletes, not due to obstacles from the Greek Cypriot side, but due to the restrictions imposed on them by Turkey itself. The provision of "grey passports" is a process controlled by the Turkish authorities and their refusal indicates a political decision. The accusation of isolation is often used by the Turkish side to justify its presence in Cyprus and to exert pressure for recognition of the pseudo-state. However, the reality seems to be different, with Turkey imposing restrictions on Turkish Cypriots in various sectors, including sports. The incident with the athletes is a characteristic example of the complexity of the situation in Cyprus and the need for an honest discussion about the real causes of the isolation of Turkish Cypriots.