NICOSIA (AP) — An initiative to build bridges between the Greek and Turkish speaking communities of ethnically split Cyprus faltered after the leader of the breakaway Turkish Cypriots skipped a soccer match over a dispute of the game’s location.

Mustafa Akinci said Tuesday he couldn’t attend because the small stadium in the mixed village of Pyla was situated within the jurisdiction of Cyprus’ internationally recognized, Greek Cypriot-run government.

He said that meant the element of evenhandedness was lacking.

Despite this, hundreds of people from both communities watched the game between Nea Salamina and Magusa Turk Gucu, and to also catch a glimpse of retired Ivorian football star Didier Drogba who attended as vice president of the Monaco-based group Peace and Sport, an organizer of the event.

Didier Drogba, vice president of the Peace and Sports Organisation, and former soccer player gestures the players of Turkish Cypriot team during a friendly soccer match of “Peace” between the Greek Cypriot team New Salamis and the Turkish Cypriot team Magusa Turk FC at Pyla mixed village at the U.N buffer zone, Cyprus, Tuesday, March 19, 2019. An initiative to build more bridges between the Greek and Turkish speaking communities of ethnically split Cyprus through soccer faltered after the leader of the breakaway Turkish Cypriots skipped the event amid a dispute over the venue’s location. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

Didier Drogba, vice president of the Peace and Sports Organisation, and former soccer player signatures to his fan during a friendly soccer match of “Peace” between the Greek Cypriot team New Salamis and the Turkish Cypriot team Magusa Turk FC at Pyla mixed village at the U.N buffer zone, Cyprus, Tuesday, March 19, 2019. An initiative to build more bridges between the Greek and Turkish speaking communities of ethnically split Cyprus through soccer faltered after the leader of the breakaway Turkish Cypriots skipped the event amid a dispute over the venue’s location. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

Didier Drogba, vice president of the Peace and Sports Organisation, and former soccer player gestures the players of Greek Cypriot team during a friendly soccer match of “Peace” between the Greek Cypriot team New Salamis and the Turkish Cypriot team Magusa Turk FC at Pyla mixed village at the U.N buffer zone, Cyprus, Tuesday, March 19, 2019. An initiative to build more bridges between the Greek and Turkish speaking communities of ethnically split Cyprus through soccer faltered after the leader of the breakaway Turkish Cypriots skipped the event amid a dispute over the venue’s location. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

New Salamis players jumps for the ball as in the background is seen a Cypriot military guard post during a friendly soccer match of “Peace” between the Greek Cypriot team New Salamis and the Turkish Cypriot team Magusa Turk FC at Pyla mixed village at the U.N buffer zone, Cyprus, Tuesday, March 19, 2019. An initiative to build more bridges between the Greek and Turkish speaking communities of ethnically split Cyprus through soccer faltered after the leader of the breakaway Turkish Cypriots skipped the event amid a dispute over the venue’s location. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

Greek and Turkish Cypriot fans hold up white papers to symbolise the colour of peace, during a friendly soccer match for “Peace” between the Greek Cypriot team New Salamis and the Turkish Cypriot team Magusa Turk FC at Pyla mixed village at the U.N buffer zone, Cyprus, Tuesday, March 19, 2019. An initiative to build more bridges between the Greek and Turkish speaking communities of ethnically split Cyprus through soccer faltered after the leader of the breakaway Turkish Cypriots skipped the event amid a dispute over the venue’s location. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

New Salamis players jump for the ball as in the background is seen a Cypriot military guard post during a friendly soccer match of “Peace” between the Greek Cypriot team New Salamis and the Turkish Cypriot team Magusa Turk FC at Pyla mixed village at the U.N buffer zone, Cyprus, Tuesday, March 19, 2019. An initiative to build more bridges between the Greek and Turkish speaking communities of ethnically split Cyprus through soccer faltered after the leader of the breakaway Turkish Cypriots skipped the event amid a dispute over the venue’s location. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

Didier Drogba, vice president of the Peace and Sports Organisation, and former soccer player gestures the players of Turkish Cypriot team during a friendly soccer match of “Peace” between the Greek Cypriot team New Salamis and the Turkish Cypriot team Magusa Turk FC at Pyla mixed village at the U.N buffer zone, Cyprus, Tuesday, March 19, 2019. An initiative to build more bridges between the Greek and Turkish speaking communities of ethnically split Cyprus through soccer faltered after the leader of the breakaway Turkish Cypriots skipped the event amid a dispute over the venue’s location. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

Players of New Salamis walk in from t of a sing of ‘Peace and Sport” during a friendly soccer match for “Peace” between the Greek Cypriot team New Salamis and the Turkish Cypriot team Magusa Turk FC at Pyla mixed village at the U.N buffer zone, Cyprus, Tuesday, March 19, 2019. An initiative to build more bridges between the Greek and Turkish speaking communities of ethnically split Cyprus through soccer faltered after the leader of the breakaway Turkish Cypriots skipped the event amid a dispute over the venue’s location. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)