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FOOTBALL IS JUST FOOTBALL, SAYS ARMENIA'S FEDERATION CHIEF
Hurriyet Daily News
Friday, October 9, 2009
The Armenian Football Federation has revived its old logo, featuring
Mt. Agrı, shortly before the World Cup qualifying rematch between
Turkey and Armenia. The federation's chief opposes the politicization
of the football match between the national teams and the term 'football
diplomacy' An Armenian supporter holds up a scarf in the stands during
the Armenia-Turkey football match played Sept. 6, 2008. AA photo
An Armenian supporter holds up a scarf in the stands during the
Armenia-Turkey football match played Sept. 6, 2008. AA photo
Although the World Cup qualifying game in Yerevan last year between
Armenia and Turkey continued the improvement of relations between the
two countries, the top executive of Armenian football is extremely
uncomfortable with the term "football diplomacy."
Armenia Football Federation President Ruben Hayrapetyan told the
Hurriyet Daily News & Economic Review that too much is expected from
the sport as the two teams prepare for the return game, to be played
next Wednesday.
"World public opinion made the [first] match too big of a deal and did
not stop there, calling it 'football diplomacy.' I do not like this
term at all," said Hayrapetyan. "I want neither my federation nor my
players to be political figures. Politics do not interest us at all."
Armenian President Serge Sarkisian invited Turkish President Abdullah
Gul to Yerevan to watch the first game in September, 2008. Gul traveled
to Armenia and the two presidents watched the game together. Hundreds
of journalists from all over the world followed the event, giving it
widespread positive coverage.
Mt. Agrı is on the logo again
At the first game, journalists received gift bags branded with the logo
of the football federation, which notably did not include the image
of Mt. Agrı, or Mt. Ararat in Armenian. The old logo was recently
revived, and widely covered by the Turkish press. The change caused
a debate to erupt in Armenia. Claims were made that the decision
was made by the Sarkisian administration, but Hayrapetyan denied
those reports. "We had decided to change our logo as the federation;
it was our own decision. However, we did not like the new logo and
decided to revert to the old one. Therefore, Mt. Ararat is back on
our logo again."
Mt. Agrı is considered holy and is one of the most commonly used
symbols in Armenia, both officially and unofficially. The eastern
territory of Turkey, where Mt. Agrı is located, is considered to be
"Armenian land" by some Armenians.
The return match is in Bursa
The central Anatolian city of Kayseri, President Gul's hometown,
was expected to host the Armenia game. However, the Turkish Football
Federation decided to play Wednesday's game in the northwestern city
of Bursa.
Complaints from coach Fatih Terim over the condition of the pitch
at Kayseri's Kadir Has Stadium, which hosted the Turkey-Estonia game
last month, are said to have scrapped plans to host the rematch there.
Hayrapetyan said the location would not be a problem. "Wherever is
suitable for the match, we can play there; there is no problem for
us. The stadium having the necessary infrastructure is enough."
Hayrapatyan said he hopes the Armenian team will not repeat the
mistakes of last year. "Last year's match was so politicized that it
caused great pressure on the players. I hope the same thing will not
be experienced again; it is very wearing for the players."
Will Armenian supporters visit Turkey?
Turkish supporters did not attend last year's game and no Armenian fans
are expected to attend the return game. "Because of security reasons,
I do not believe that Armenian supporters will go to Turkey," said
Hayrapetyan. When reminded that there are thousands of Armenians in
Turkey, the federation chief said that everybody may visit Turkey
or Armenia individually, but that "visiting as a team's supporter
is a opes that Armenia will make a strong showing against the tough
Turkish team.
"The Turkish national team is a strong one but let's not forget that
the ball is round. In short, let the best team win," he said.
---
In our seventh 'Postcards from Armenia,' the members of the U21
Armenian football squad will discuss their feelings on potentially
joining a Turkish club and on competing against Turkey.
Hurriyet Daily News
Friday, October 9, 2009
The Armenian Football Federation has revived its old logo, featuring
Mt. Agrı, shortly before the World Cup qualifying rematch between
Turkey and Armenia. The federation's chief opposes the politicization
of the football match between the national teams and the term 'football
diplomacy' An Armenian supporter holds up a scarf in the stands during
the Armenia-Turkey football match played Sept. 6, 2008. AA photo
An Armenian supporter holds up a scarf in the stands during the
Armenia-Turkey football match played Sept. 6, 2008. AA photo
Although the World Cup qualifying game in Yerevan last year between
Armenia and Turkey continued the improvement of relations between the
two countries, the top executive of Armenian football is extremely
uncomfortable with the term "football diplomacy."
Armenia Football Federation President Ruben Hayrapetyan told the
Hurriyet Daily News & Economic Review that too much is expected from
the sport as the two teams prepare for the return game, to be played
next Wednesday.
"World public opinion made the [first] match too big of a deal and did
not stop there, calling it 'football diplomacy.' I do not like this
term at all," said Hayrapetyan. "I want neither my federation nor my
players to be political figures. Politics do not interest us at all."
Armenian President Serge Sarkisian invited Turkish President Abdullah
Gul to Yerevan to watch the first game in September, 2008. Gul traveled
to Armenia and the two presidents watched the game together. Hundreds
of journalists from all over the world followed the event, giving it
widespread positive coverage.
Mt. Agrı is on the logo again
At the first game, journalists received gift bags branded with the logo
of the football federation, which notably did not include the image
of Mt. Agrı, or Mt. Ararat in Armenian. The old logo was recently
revived, and widely covered by the Turkish press. The change caused
a debate to erupt in Armenia. Claims were made that the decision
was made by the Sarkisian administration, but Hayrapetyan denied
those reports. "We had decided to change our logo as the federation;
it was our own decision. However, we did not like the new logo and
decided to revert to the old one. Therefore, Mt. Ararat is back on
our logo again."
Mt. Agrı is considered holy and is one of the most commonly used
symbols in Armenia, both officially and unofficially. The eastern
territory of Turkey, where Mt. Agrı is located, is considered to be
"Armenian land" by some Armenians.
The return match is in Bursa
The central Anatolian city of Kayseri, President Gul's hometown,
was expected to host the Armenia game. However, the Turkish Football
Federation decided to play Wednesday's game in the northwestern city
of Bursa.
Complaints from coach Fatih Terim over the condition of the pitch
at Kayseri's Kadir Has Stadium, which hosted the Turkey-Estonia game
last month, are said to have scrapped plans to host the rematch there.
Hayrapetyan said the location would not be a problem. "Wherever is
suitable for the match, we can play there; there is no problem for
us. The stadium having the necessary infrastructure is enough."
Hayrapatyan said he hopes the Armenian team will not repeat the
mistakes of last year. "Last year's match was so politicized that it
caused great pressure on the players. I hope the same thing will not
be experienced again; it is very wearing for the players."
Will Armenian supporters visit Turkey?
Turkish supporters did not attend last year's game and no Armenian fans
are expected to attend the return game. "Because of security reasons,
I do not believe that Armenian supporters will go to Turkey," said
Hayrapetyan. When reminded that there are thousands of Armenians in
Turkey, the federation chief said that everybody may visit Turkey
or Armenia individually, but that "visiting as a team's supporter
is a opes that Armenia will make a strong showing against the tough
Turkish team.
"The Turkish national team is a strong one but let's not forget that
the ball is round. In short, let the best team win," he said.
---
In our seventh 'Postcards from Armenia,' the members of the U21
Armenian football squad will discuss their feelings on potentially
joining a Turkish club and on competing against Turkey.