Shirak Owner Demands Resignation of AFF President

Armen Soghomonyan, the owner of FC Pyunik, has given an extensive interview to the club's press service, summarizing the year 2022 and addressing the existing problems in Armenian football along with potential solutions, writes Armsport.am.

“For many, the main criterion for evaluating the work of the AFF is the performance and results of the Armenian national team. Unfortunately, what we witnessed regarding the national team does not inspire optimism either. The lack of a professional approach has led to the departure of the team’s key players, and recent results have caused great disappointment among fans. All of this does not contribute to the development of football in Armenia,” he stated.

“The AFF has turned national team games into a huge gathering, spending enormous amounts on charters for their close acquaintances and distributing VIP invitations for home matches to their friends, forgetting about those who have truly worked for the glory of Armenian football. For instance, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and his mother, Marina Tashchyan, who have done incomparably more for Armenian football, were absent from the grand celebration of the AFF's 30th anniversary held this summer, which the entire federation's leadership and staff combined have not achieved.”

“At the beginning of the conversation, you mentioned that you see great potential in Armenian football. Is the current leadership of the AFF capable of realizing that potential?”

“That is my main pain, but I see a generation of very talented youth. There are players who can become great stars. I am ready to take responsibility and state that we can have a real chance of qualifying for the final stages of the World or European Championship within the next six years. Of course, there is a lot of work to be done, and it must start right now, at this moment. The first thing, of course, is to replace the incompetent leadership of the AFF. That is why I want to officially state on behalf of FC Pyunik that we are expressing a vote of no confidence in the federation's current president, Armen Melikbekyan, and demand his resignation. We call on all federation members to join us. I am confident that we can unite for the future of our football and finally elect experienced, professional managers who will help our football move forward, rather than backward.”