UEFA CANCELS ARMENIA-AZERBAIJAN MATCHES

ArmRadio.am
25.06.2007 12:46

During a sitting on June 23 the UEFA Executive Committee took the
decision to cancel the matches between the national football teams of
Armenia and Azerbaijan in the framework of the Euro-2008 qualification
round. The two teams will be given zero points.

Let us remind that the Football Federation of Armenia (FFA) wanted the
matches to be held in Yerevan and Baku and the Armenian Government was
ready to provide necessary security guarantees. The Football Federation
of Azerbaijan stood for holding the matches on a neutral field.

It deserves attention that Azeri media welcome this decision of
the UEFA.

Armenpress was told from the Football Federation of Armenia that the
Federation is not going to appeal the decision.

FFA President Ruben Hayrapetyan came forth with a statement today,
saying that "we were deprived of the best opportunity to observe the
game of our national team, which is strengthening day by day."

"We did the utmost for the matches to take place. We provided highest
security guarantees, the plenipotentiary representative of the Armenian
President participated in trilateral UEFA, Armenia, Azerbaijan meetings
and presented written guarantees. Unlike Azerbaijan the Armenian
Government and the Football Federation were ready to organize the
match in Yerevan in compliance with highest international standards
and leave for Baku in case of existence of similar guarantees,"
the statement reads.