How to complain to FIFA or UEFA about “CYPRUS IS GREEK” banner

embargoedIn relation to the recent incident where fans at the APOEL vs. Chelsea football match used the platform to make racist and politically intolerant messages we would strongly advise our supporters to write to UEFA and FIFA officials making our view clear that we won’t tolerate this blatant intolerance against us.

You can either cut & paste the text below into an email and send to [email protected] or click on this FIFA FACEBOOK LINK where there is a form you can fill in.  Make sure you include your contact details. Keep us in the loop on any responses that you get.

Dear Sir,

Re: complaint against racist displays at Apoel Nicosia v Chelsea Champions League match Wednesday 30 September 2009

I am writing to complain in the strongest possible terms about the racist messages that were permitted to be prominently displayed during the Champions League football match between Apoel Nicosia and Chelsea last Wednesday. The huge banners, written in six different languages and hung throughout the stadium, stated “CYPRUS IS GREEK” and were clearly visible during the entire match, which was broadcast live around the world. This whole scene was intimidating, insulting and racist to Turkish Cypriots living in Cyprus and around the world.

The sheer size of these banners and the places where they were displayed imply they were if not fully endorsed then at the very least tacitly approved by Apoel Nicosia officials. Given FIFA/UEFA’s usually high standards and fundamental rules of conduct, we ask how it was possible for Greek Cypriot stadium officials to allow these racist messages, and why UEFA officials did not act on the night or since? Both UEFA and your global regulating body FIFA are bound by your own anti-discrimination statutes, while broadcast regulations also do not to permit such offensive communications.

These blatantly xenophobic messages about an already troubled island have again increased tensions, further polarizing the two sides. This in turn hampers the efforts of the two Cypriot leaders who are currently in the middle of sensitive political negotiations.

UEFA/FIFA owe Turkish Cypriots and the world of football a duty of care to stamp out racism wherever it occurs. We are therefore keen to understand when an investigation will be launched and what action will be taken against the culprits, as well as what measures you intend to take to prevent a repeat of such an incident? There is no room for this level of intolerance in football and we ask UEFA/FIFA to be firm about the actions it takes.

We look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience.

Yours faithfully,

In relation to the recent incident where fans at the APOEL vs. Chelsea football match used the platform to make racist and politically intolerant messages we would strongly advise our supporters to write to UEFA and FIFA officials making our view clear that we won't tolerate this blatant intolerance against us. 

Cut & paste the text below into an email and send to [email protected] or http://www.facebook.com/l/d7dd1;www.fifa.com/contact/form.html making sure you include your contact details. Keep us in the loop on any responses that you get.

Dear Sir, 

Re: complaint against racist displays at Apoel Nicosia v Chelsea Champions League match Wednesday 30 September 2009

I am writing to complain in the strongest possible terms about the racist messages that were permitted to be prominently displayed during the Champions League football match between Apoel Nicosia and Chelsea last Wednesday. The huge banners, written in six different languages and hung throughout the stadium, stated "CYPRUS IS GREEK" and were clearly visible during the entire match, which was broadcast live around the world. This whole scene was intimidating, insulting and racist to Turkish Cypriots living in Cyprus and around the world.   

The sheer size of these banners and the places where they were displayed imply they were if not fully endorsed then at the very least tacitly approved by Apoel Nicosia officials. Given FIFA/UEFA’s usually high standards and fundamental rules of conduct, we ask how it was possible for Greek Cypriot stadium officials to allow these racist messages, and why UEFA officials did not act on the night or since? Both UEFA and your global regulating body FIFA are bound by your own anti-discrimination statutes, while broadcast regulations also do not to permit such offensive communications.   

These blatantly xenophobic messages about an already troubled island have again increased tensions, further polarizing the two sides. This in turn hampers the efforts of the two Cypriot leaders who are currently in the middle of sensitive political negotiations. 

UEFA/FIFA owe Turkish Cypriots and the world of football a duty of care to stamp out racism wherever it occurs. We are therefore keen to understand when an investigation will be launched and what action will be taken against the culprits, as well as what measures you intend to take to prevent a repeat of such an incident? There is no room for this level of intolerance in football and we ask UEFA/FIFA to be firm about the actions it takes. 

We look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience.
In relation to the recent incident where fans at the APOEL vs. Chelsea football match used the platform to make racist and politically intolerant messages we would strongly advise our supporters to write to UEFA and FIFA officials making our view clear that we won't tolerate this blatant intolerance against us.

Cut & paste the text below into an email and send to [email protected] or http://www.facebook.com/l/d7dd1;www.fifa.com/contact/form.html making sure you include your contact details. Keep us in the loop on any responses that you get.

Dear Sir,

Re: complaint against racist displays at Apoel Nicosia v Chelsea Champions League match Wednesday 30 September 2009

I am writing to complain in the strongest possible terms about the racist messages that were permitted to be prominently displayed during the Champions League football match between Apoel Nicosia and Chelsea last Wednesday. The huge banners, written in six different languages and hung throughout the stadium, stated "CYPRUS IS GREEK" and were clearly visible during the entire match, which was broadcast live around the world. This whole scene was intimidating, insulting and racist to Turkish Cypriots living in Cyprus and around the world.

The sheer size of these banners and the places where they were displayed imply they were if not fully endorsed then at the very least tacitly approved by Apoel Nicosia officials. Given FIFA/UEFA’s usually high standards and fundamental rules of conduct, we ask how it was possible for Greek Cypriot stadium officials to allow these racist messages, and why UEFA officials did not act on the night or since? Both UEFA and your global regulating body FIFA are bound by your own anti-discrimination statutes, while broadcast regulations also do not to permit such offensive communications.

These blatantly xenophobic messages about an already troubled island have again increased tensions, further polarizing the two sides. This in turn hampers the efforts of the two Cypriot leaders who are currently in the middle of sensitive political negotiations.

UEFA/FIFA owe Turkish Cypriots and the world of football a duty of care to stamp out racism wherever it occurs. We are therefore keen to understand when an investigation will be launched and what action will be taken against the culprits, as well as what measures you intend to take to prevent a repeat of such an incident? There is no room for this level of intolerance in football and we ask UEFA/FIFA to be firm about the actions it takes.

We look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience.

Yours faithfully,

Yours faithfully,
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