ABSTRACT
The politicisation of football is nowadays considered common practice in many countries where its popularity is considerably high. The transformation of a football stadium into a political arena, as well as the manipulation of the masses that the football fans represent, concern political tactics that have long been employed by political figures. From the interventionist policies of Francisco Franco, Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini, to the mere presence of political leaders in the final of international and/or national competitions, football has always been considered a credible substitute for communication between the political elites and voters. In the case of Cyprus, the politicisation of football dates back to the civil war in Greece between the nationalists and the communists (1946–49), which had ideological influences in Cypriot politics as well. This sparked the separation of Cypriot football clubs on ideological grounds, between ‘left’ and right’, and carried on throughout most of the past century.
