Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
May 25 2007
Azad Rehimov: If UEFA decision does not favor us, we will appeal to
Sport Arbitration Court
[ 25 May 2007 19:37 ]
`Armenian National Olympic Committee officials wanted to get
acquainted with firsthand situation in Azerbaijan
`No one tried to hide the visit of Armenian National Olympic
Committee representatives’, youth and sports minister Azad Rehimov
told APA-Sport.
Rehimov said Armenian delegation was ensured security at the meeting
organized by International Wrestling Federation.
`Armenian official wanted to get acquainted with firsthand situation
in Azerbaijan. They wanted to see that Azerbaijan is ready to admit
Armenian sportsmen and officials to the country. They took a flight
to Baku from Tbilisi. They stayed here for two days. We ensured all
conditions and safety for Armenia’s participation in the world
championship to be held in September in Baku. After the agreement the
delegation left Azerbaijan. There is nothing here to keep in secret’,
he underscored.
The minister stressed that Armenian delegation’s visit was not
announced at once.
`Armenians faced no trouble in Baku and National Olympic Committee. I
don’t accept that the information was kept in secret. But it was not
announced at once’, he said.
Rehimov said the security for wrestling competition has nothing to do
with football match. The minister noted that they still demand
European championship qualifying matches between the teams on 8 and
12 September to be played in a neutral field.
`Football is very popular and is played in stadiums before large
audience. The demands for the organization of wrestling and football
events are not the same. Our position concerning the matches is
resolute. The matches should be played in neutral fields’, he said.
The minister underscored that if UEFA decision doesn’t favor
Azerbaijan, the ministry will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for
Sports.
`Youth and Sports Ministry and AFFA officials had meetings in UEFA
headquarters for several times and explained that it is impossible to
welcome Armenian squad in Baku. We will appeal to the Court of
Arbitration for Sports if the decision is not satisfactory’, he said.
/APA-Sport/