Following fans' attack, Davutoglu works to protect Turkish players in Greek Cyprus

Following the attack Tuesday night on Turkish side Karsiyaka at the hands of fans of Greek Cypriot basketball team Apoel, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu spent much of yesterday on the telephone trying to protect the Turkish players. After the attack, which followed a match in Greek Cyprus, Davutoglu asked Rear Admiral Mario Sanchez Debernardi, who commands the UN Peacekeeping Force on Cyprus, to provide for the safety of the Turkish side. Davutoglu reportedly warned Debernardi that he would be held responsible if anything happened to the players. Davutoglu also stayed in contact with Kaya Turkmen, Turkey's ambassador to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), and asked that the players be transported to the TRNC. But the Greek Cypriot administration refused his request, arguing that doing so would mean recognizing the TRNC. The UN refused the same request, citing security concerns. Karsiyaka later left the island yesterday without further incident.