Indicator history

There is no information about the involvement of the recognised national minorities (Maronites, Armenians, Latins) in sports. There are occasional claims from these groups for increased state subsidy in order for these groups to engage more actively in sports but these claims do not take the form of allegations of racism, either direct or institutional. However, the political situation prevailing in Cyprus ince the 1960s has had a negative impact on the participation of Turkish Cypriots in sports, who are  hindered by the complications posed by the political problem of Cyprus, the de facto partition and the ethnic conflict.

Despite the political and social problems there are individual cases of Turkish-Cypriots who do participate on sports, albeit in small numbers. There is a handful of young Turkish-Cypriot footballers playing with some second division football clubs. Until some years ago, the first division club Nea Salamina had some Turkish-Cypriot footballers playing and there are also some Turkish-Cypriot athletes in track and field.

An issue of serious concern is the regular intimidation and harassment of Turkish-Cypriot fans at the football pitch by far right groups within the fan clubs, sometimes manifesting itself in violent attacks and vandalisations of their cars. There have been reports of Turkish Cypriot fans being rounded up by far right hooligans as they try to leave the pitch, but were saved at the last moment by other Greek Cypriot fans who intervened at the last moment to save the Turkish Cypriots fans.