FIFA offers Turkish Cypriots chance to play international friendlies
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World football's governing body FIFA has offered an interim deal to the Turkish Cypriot Football Association that could allow Turkish Cypriot teams to play friendly international matches.
FIFA and its European counterpart UEFA announced on Thursday that an offer had been made following a meeting with the Turkish Cypriot FA (CTFA) "with a view to improving relations between the football communities on the island of Cyprus".  Â
The proposal would allow friendly matches to be played against foreign teams as well as sides from the Greek Cypriot part of the divided island, CTFA chairman Omer Adali told Reuters, but FIFA did not disclose any further details.
Cyprus has been divided since 1964 when Turkish Cypriots forced to withdraw into enclaves.Â
"This is an interim measure prior to a solution to the Cyprus problem," Adali said.
"To play in formal competitions you have to be a member of FIFA. The only way would be to join the Greek Cypriot league, but we are not willing to do this. Therefore we would only be able to play friendly matches under this proposal," he added.
The offer still has to be accepted by CTFA and Adali said this would "not be an easy decision".
Turkish Cypriot teams were involved in the founding of the Cypriot FA in 1934 but withdrew from the island's unified league in 1955 after disputes between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities worsened.
Turkish Cypriot teams and players have since been unable to participate in official international matches.