Cyprus-Forum.com

[wogboy]

Im a Greek-Australian, and like to say we loved having Macos Bagdatis here!

Now the Greek National team is arriving in just 3 weeks to play the Australian National team. The game in Melbourne is SOLD OUT (100 000!!)

I would just like to know how Cypriots feel about the decison to ban the flag of Cyprus from this match? I think its shameful, given the closeness of both nations. To my best knowledge, it was the result of Turkish lobbying (after Greeks raced and bought their tickets)

Opinions

(yes its true)

[Greek goddess]

What reasons did the Turks sited for such a decision to be indorsed.
Legally it must be considered to be an offensive item in order to be banned; otherwise the decision can be challenged in court.

[Sotos]

How can they ban our flag? Are you serious wogboy? What Turks have to do with a Greece - Australia game?

[wogboy]

YES! Its very true and Im deeply disappointed. The majority crowd will be Cyprioy+Greek-Australian, such is the passion that we have for our homeland. We supported Marcos and united the country. I hope you were proud of us.

I know Greeks rallied to buy tickets and are arriving to Melbourne from every state in the country.

The turkish lobby group and Republic of Macedonia decided since the game would attract 100 000 people...that they would hold talks with the Football Federation of Australia. They feared that the Greek Community would use this well publicised match for political purposes.

I really feel sorry for some Cypriots, as I know they have spent alot of money on tickets, air travel and accomodation just to see Greece and fly the Cypriot flag.

I have been trying to contact greek newspapers and media but its very difficult from Australia. I know the Greek Community is trying to persue this with Human Rights Commision, but we have little or no chance unless we make this well known.

How does it make Cypriots feel?

Last year the Turkish national team played here. They flew the flag of northern Cyprus from the stadium.

Uruguay played here, no bans on flags.

Greece arrives...all Greek supporters banned.

[saravakos]

its the fucken Aussies who have banned all other flags except the Greek flag. disgraceful decision but not Greece's fault. the FFA have bowed to pressure from the Skops

[wogboy]

Cypriots, if there were ever a time when we needed you mosty its right now!!!

Greek and Cypriot supporters have been fighting the ban and today we were contacted by the FFA who had this to say in regards to the flag of Cyprus:


The only flags that are permitted for national team matches are the flags that the teams have chosen to play under and will be the ones held up in front of the teams during the playing of their national anthem. This policy has been discussed in detail with the Hellenic Football Federation, and the HFF is fully supportive of the FFA position.

I contacted the Greek Embassy to ask why the Hellenic Football Federation had agreed so willingly to ban the Cypriot flag and they told me they had no idea about it! Nobody had informed Greece about this decision and I have been asked to meet with the Embassy in person.

At the moment we need emails from Cypriots (from all over the world) to send letters of support. I was asked by the embassy to bring these in.

I have set up an email which is getting flooded so far:

[email protected]

We are asking for just 2 quick lines. Please do it now. This is big and will be media news in Greece and Cyprus in the next few days!!!

[lysi]

Dont be gutless, just take your cyprus flags and dont worry about it. get all your pals to take cyprus flags, the more flags there are the the less the authorities can do about it

[sneezing7]

True...its a bit strange, but I can kind of understand the situation.

Yes the ties between Greece & Cyprus are strong, but in my opinion it can be likened to the relation between Australia & New Zealand (ie: Similar, but not the same).

It kind of seems as if whenever Greece or Cyprus does well the other country wants association for the publicity. Yet, Cyprus clearly states that they are a seperate entity. So why not just take a Greek flag to a Greek football match? I mean this IS who you are supporting. Would you mind if I took an Egyptian flag to the game?

OK, so your cypriot and proud. F*ck it, take your flag and wave it! Whats the worse that can happen? If police start anything, there will be 50,000 wogs there that will stand up for you. You will then get the multiplication effect where Mitso at the game will call his cousin George at the cafe, who will then call his cousin Kotcho at the drags, and so on (same concept as in the movie Pizza)..... Before you know it there will be 300,000+ of our boys ready.

Have you contacted Neos Kosmos? to get their view on the matter?

[wogboy]

We have only been together since Friday. Greek media has until today been hard to crack but we have stories going on print.

I understand that Greece and Cyprus are two different entities. Ive never questioned that. Nor have I questioned ties between the two countries. Ive seen this many times at sporting events and its magic. I just think its very unfair that the decision to take the flag of Cyprus (or Greece) is based on somebody elses prinsiples, morals or valued judgements (especially when those people do not understand the relations between the two countries).

It is ok not to support what we are trying to do. But, for those who feel as though they would like to help, please send an email. We would rather be allowed to take our flags, legally thats all.

please post to help us out

[Sotos]

You have our support wogboy! What is a bit funny though is that some Cypriots take Greek flags even when Cyprus is playing