Turkish football club could become Lefkosaspor

THERE are indications that troubled Turkish football club Ankaraspor, in hot water with the Turkish FA for breaking club ownership rules, could become Lefkosaspor in a spectacular move which could see the football embargoes on North Cyprus broken.

Ankaraspor, formed in 1978 and in Turkey’s Super League, has Ankara Council Leader Melih Gokce on the board. However, the Turkish FA is angered that the board also own Ankaragucu, contravening league rules.

Ankaraspor has been lined up for sale and if ownership is not transferred by next weekend, the club could be penalised with a drop to the second league.

The daring plan by North Cyprus to buy the beleaguered club could be a way of breaking the sporting embargo while giving young Turkish Cypriot footballers the very real chance of playing in regular ‘legitimate’ matches.

It is unclear if the new ‘Lefkosaspor’ club would be located in Turkey or would have to relocate to North Cyprus but either Nicosia or Ankara would give a massive boost to the North Cyprus domestic game.

The plan is apparently the idea of  Lefkosa City Council and both the head Turkish Cypriot FA Omer Adal and Metin Ozerem, head of the TRNC Department of Sports, have confirmed they are aware of the situation and are keen to see the plan move forward.
 

LondraGazete.com

20.09.2009