News.am, Armenia
Jan 12 2018
YEREVAN. – Ruben Hayrapetyan, President of the Football Federation of Armenia (FFA), stated at Friday’s press conference that the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh Republic/NKR) has presented a bid to host the ConIFA World Football Cup tournament of unrecognized countries.
“Artsakh also was participating in this tournament,” said the FFA boss. “As far as I know, Artsakh has presented a bid that we hold the world championship of unrecognized countries in [the NKR capital city of] Stepanakert. They have invited all teams.
“That stadium in Stepanakert was built so that they hold this tournament in Artsakh; I believe this is beneficial to the people of Artsakh.
“I consider the approach that FIFA has as unfair and wrong—against human rights. People live there and love football, but they are deprived of the opportunity to participate in any championship.”
As reported earlier, however, the Western Armenia national team will participate in the ConIFA World Football Cup 2018, which will be held in June in London.
The squad had competed in this tournament also in 2016 in Abkhazia, where they had placed sixth.