Azerbaijan Irrevocably Missed the Opportunity to Realize Its Commitment to Separating Sports from Politics through the Europa League Final, Armenian MFA Comments to CNN

Azerbaijan has irrevocably missed the opportunity to realize its commitment to separating sports from politics through the Europa League final. This was stated by Anna Naghdalyan, the spokesperson for the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a comment to American CNN, responding to the issue that due to inadequate security guarantees, Henrikh Mkhitaryan will not participate in the Europa League final match as part of Arsenal, which will take place in Baku.

“The tolerance towards racist manifestations against Armenians in Azerbaijani society and media, as well as the apparent security risks rendered it impossible for Arsenal midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan to travel to Baku with his team,” said Naghdalyan.

The Europa League final could have been a great opportunity for Azerbaijan to fulfill its own commitment to separate sports from politics, as well as to demonstrate its ability to show tolerance and non-discrimination. This opportunity has been irrevocably missed,” she noted.

It is noteworthy that the Azerbaijani side claims to have provided all possible guarantees for Mkhitaryan's participation in the final in Baku. Azerbaijan's Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, Azad Rahimov, even mocked in an interview with CNN, saying, “What additional guarantees are needed? More than a guarantee? More than 100 percent? We have done everything possible. What else should we have done? Should we have sent a private jet? Should we have accompanied him with F16 fighter jets or warships?”

Football analysts have even suggested the possibility of a boycott of the match by both clubs.