Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said that the attack on the football team in Greek Cypriot is the example of increasing “racism” in the island. These types of attacks are the major setback in the peace efforts.

The Prime Minister further said that EU also showed less reaction in this context and FIBA, the international basketball was very lenient towards Greek Cypriot.

Erdoğan said in a parliamentary speech,” It is worrying that racism and violence against Turks ... is rising in Greek Cyprus while we are striving for dialogue and reconciliation." He further said,” Even this single incident demonstrates who favors peace and who does not want to give peace a chance on the island."

A FIBA court fined APOEL 40,000 euros and instructed them to play their next European home matches behind closed doors.

But Erdoğan said, "The penalty given to APOEL is not sufficient," he said, and referring to FIBA added: "If this is their justice ... then they should not speak about fair play."