FC Barcelona’s decision to hold a football camp at the so-called Near East University in occupied Nicosia in September, while referring to the area as “Northern Cyprus,” is developing into a diplomatic issue.
The “Lefkosa Camp” is listed on FC Barcelona’s official website and is scheduled to take place in two sessions, from 7 to 11 September and from 16 to 20 September 2026.
According to Cypriot media, the Cyprus Football Association is gathering information to determine the exact circumstances under which the camp is being organised, which organisations are involved and whether any issues fall under FIFA and UEFA regulations. Opposition parties have also called for intervention by the Spanish government and the Republic of Cyprus’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In 2014, club president Joan Laporta visited the occupied north and met with Turkish Cypriot officials in Kyrenia.
As an EU member state, Spain does not recognise the self-declared state in the occupied north of Cyprus and recognises only the Republic of Cyprus, in line with relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
This is not the first time the issue has arisen. In 2014, Barcelona president Joan Laporta visited the occupied north and met with Turkish Cypriot officials in Kyrenia, expressing support for efforts at the time to bring the island’s two football associations closer together.
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