Moments of silence were observed at soccer games played throughout Europe following the queen's death, the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) confirmed. But in Cyprus' capital Nicosia, soccer fans appeared to have no interest in paying respect to the monarch, who passed away that afternoon at Balmoral Castle in Scotland.
The Cypriot First Division team Omonoia Nicosia took on the Moldovan team, Sheriff Tiraspol in the Europa League. Prior to kickoff, players from both teams and referees stood around the center circle as an announcement was made over the loudspeakers.
"In honor of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, please stand for a moment of silence in her memory," the announcer said. The crowd whistled and jeered throughout the minute and also chanted Omonoia slogans and songs.
"Well done Omonoia," a fan commented on a TikTok video of the incident. Another added: "Respect to the Omonoians."
Many Cypriots have long blamed Elizabeth, who became queen in 1952, for not stopping the executions of anti-colonial protestors and nationalist fighters in the 1950s independence movement, according to Cyprus Mail.
@irotman_cy OMONOIA Fans booing minute's silence for queen elizabeth! Η ΚΥΠΡΟΣ ΔΕΝ ΞΕΧΝΑ!🇨🇾👏🏼☘️#queen #queenelizabeth #cyprus #europaleague #omonoia
♬ original sound - Irotman
Britain has long had a troubled relationship with the Mediterranean island nation and many of its population do not hold the monarchy in high esteem.
It gained control of Cyprus when it was handed the island by the Ottoman Empire in 1878 as a guarantee it would protect the Ottomans against any Russian aggression. Having bases in Cyprus gave Britain critical logistical access to the Middle East and the Suez Canal, the route by which the country accessed India.
In 1914, England gained full control of Cyprus and the following year offered it to Greece on the condition it would fight on Britain's side during World War I. But Prince Philip's grandfather, King Constantine I, declined.
Turkey also agreed to give up any claim to Cyprus in 1923 and two years later the island was declared a British Crown colony. But anti-colonial sentiment started to brew and Greek Cypriots started to push for "enosis," a union with Greece.
About 96 percent of Greek Cypriots voted in favor of "enosis" in a 1950 referendum, but the result was ignored by the British and Turkish Cypriots. Then the para-military group EOKA formed in 1955 to take up arms against the British, but the colonial power retaliated with executions and beatings.
Cyprus gained independence in 1960 through the Zurich Agreement with Britain winning the right to retain military bases there, a fact that still breeds resentment amongst locals.
When communal violence broke out between Turkish and Greek Cypriots in 1963, England was quick to send the United Nations in to keep the peace.
In 1974, Turkey invaded the north after a Greek military coup attempted to unite the island with Greece. Thousands of people were displaced and the island was divided into Turkish Northern Cyprus and the Republic of Cyprus.
More than 200,000 people were displaced from their homes with Britain facing criticism for not doing enough to prevent the invasion and ultimate division.
Cyprus still remains divided to this day.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Shannon Power is a Greek-Australian reporter, but now calls London home. They have worked as across three continents in print, ... Read more
To read how Newsweek uses AI as a newsroom tool, Click here.
