Azerbaijan, Baku/ Trend , corr. I. Alizadeh/ Rafig Abbasov, Chief of the Press-Service of the Azerbaijan Youth and Sports Ministry, has stated today that Azerbaijan prefers to face any UEFA (United European Football Federation) sanctions than to play with the Armenian National Football Team in Baku and Yerevan.
He said that the Azerbaijani party could not guarantee the security to the Armenian National Team, if Armenian football-players appear on the field of the Tofig Bahramov Stadium.
The representative of the Azerbaijani Ministry said that Azerbaijan was ready to play with Armenian football-players on any neutral field. "We have proposed Armenians to hold the both football matches on football fields of Ukraine, Sweden, and brought it to the attention of UEFA. If the Armenian party will insist on the matches in Baku and Yerevan, then we shall demand to hold the play in Khankandi, but under the organization and security guaranteeing by the Azerbaijan party," noted Mr. Abbasov.
Mr. Abbasov also said that in any case the Azerbaijani party would not give its consent on holding the forthcoming matches in Baku and Yerevan. At the same time, Azerbaijan will not be scared by any sanctions imposed on Azerbaijan and the national football, which might follow then, since there is Asisn Footballs Cup, and all other sanctions would be of a temporary nature.
According to him, Armenia, following its traditions, uses any possible incident in its selfish ends. "Therefore, they are seeking to play in Baku", added Mr. Abbasov.
Notably, in accordance with the rules of Europe Cup Qualifications 2008, the National Football Teams of the disputing conflict parties are to hold the matches between each other first in Baku and then in Yerevan. Due to Azerbaijan's repudiating to play with Armenians in Baku and Yerevan, the final decision on the place where the two forthcoming football matches are to be played will be made by the European Superior Football Organization - UEFA in June, 2007.