The meeting between Joseph Blatter, the President of FIFA, and Ramiz Mirzoyev, the President of AFFA (Association of Football Federation of Azerbaijan) has been held in Moscow. During the meeting, further perspectives on the development of Azerbaijan football were discussed, Trend Correspondent to Moscow reports.
During the meeting between the Head of AFFA and the President of FIFA, wide spectrums of different issues that are of a mutual interest were considered. They also exchanged their opinions on these issues. According to Mr. Mirzoyev, Mr. Blatter got interested with steps that AFFA is taking to develop the national football in Azerbaijan. Mr. Blatter highly appreciates the State Program on the Development of the National Football for 2005-2015 approved in Azerbaijan, as well as measures taken to implement it, said Mr. Mirzoyev. He said that Mr. Blatter with great cordiality remembered his visit to Azerbaijan in 2004, as well as his amicable and fruitful meeting with Azerbaijan President, Ilham Aliyev.
The Head of AFFA said that Mr. Blatter had expressed his deep satisfaction with the decision taken by the AFFA Conference on reducing the limit of legionnaires (foreign football players) in Azerbaijan clubs. He said that the reduction of the limit of legionaries complied with the perspective policy being carried out by FIFA, and added that such a reduction had begun all over the World. Mr. Mirzoyev explained that AFFA had recently taken a decision that the number of legionaries in Azerbaijan clubs was to be not more than 3 players on the field, and 3 on the bench, i.e. 3+2. He said that according to the recent decision taken by AFFA, the legionaries might accept the citizenship of Azerbaijan only with the consent of the federation.
Mr. Mirzoyev said that AFFA cooperation with FIFA and UEFA were implemented very successfully. These Football Organizations have their program on development of football and fulfill all their obligations, including allocating purposeful financing. But, the most important is that our country headed by President Ilham Aliyev pay much attention to the development of this sport in the country, as well as allocates required funds and solves issues of current importance, said AFFA Head.