UEFA Suspends Karabakh FC's Press Secretary from Football Activities

UEFA has suspended Nurlan Ibrahimov, the press secretary of the Azerbaijani football club Karabakh, from all football activities.

According to Armenpress, the European Football Association had previously initiated an investigation into Ibrahimov’s conduct, which included bellicose statements, militaristic behavior, and anti-Armenian posts.

UEFA has decided to suspend Ibrahimov from any football activities until a new ruling is made by UEFA's Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body regarding the case.

Earlier, the Football Federation of Armenia (FFA) had filed numerous complaints to UEFA and FIFA regarding the militaristic statements and anti-Armenian sentiment expressed by various representatives of Azerbaijani football. The FFA's statement noted, “The militarized and political stance of Azerbaijani football representatives has been evident for about a month, but what was circulated online today is horrendous and violates all civilizational and moral standards.”

Ibrahimov had made a post on his official social media page that literally called for the killing of all Armenians—elderly, women, and children—without distinction. He also justified the genocide of Armenians by Turkey.

Although Ibrahimov has since deleted the post, hundreds of users had already seen and saved it.

The Football Federation of Armenia sent a corresponding complaint to UEFA, demanding severe punishment for both Ibrahimov and the Azerbaijani club, up to exclusion from European competitions. “Hate speech, calls for violence, and xenophobia must be eradicated from football, in adherence to the values accepted within the European football family,” the FFA emphasized.