Statement by the President of the HFF Regarding Resignation Demands

The President of the HFF, Armen Melikbekyan, has issued an official statement, which we present in full:

“Dear representatives of the football community,
Following the recent loss of the Armenian national team, a segment of our fans is demanding the resignation of the HFF leadership, expressing dissatisfaction not only with the inadequate results of our various age group teams but also, in general, with the operation of the federation.
As one of the main stakeholders in football, I fully understand and accept the fans' right to express their dissatisfaction, and I believe that my response might at least become a topic of discussion, even if it does not alleviate the doubts of those concerned about the future of Armenian football.

I would also like to emphasize that I am addressing only those who consider Armenian football a priority and not opportunists who have never done anything for Armenian football, hiding behind the walls and seeking moments to display themselves, people who consider insults a freedom of speech and have turned blackmail and slander into their modus operandi.
In December 2019, I took over the responsibilities of the President of the Football Federation of Armenia with great dreams, hopes, confidence in the future, and unyielding optimism. This vision has found its programmatic reflection in the HFF's first strategy for 2019-2025—a document unprecedented in its kind.
Unfortunately, today we must state that some of the programs included in the strategy have not been implemented, while some have only been partially executed. These are facts that, however, have serious objective and subjective reasons.

Let me mention the main reasons that have had a tremendous impact not only on football but also generally on Armenia and the entire world. Just two months after my election, the entire world came to a standstill due to the coronavirus, followed by the 44-day war, which had severe consequences for our country. In 2022, the conflict in Ukraine began, which fundamentally transformed almost all realities worldwide, creating challenges even for the movement of teams in football. The transformation of the foreign exchange market has also dealt a serious blow to financial stability, and during this period, Armenian football has not received all the resources and expected revenues that would ensure the implementation of most strategic points.

But even under these conditions, we have managed to make numerous fundamental changes in the landscape of Armenian football, the results of which we will reap over time.
The football community is dissatisfied with the current situation. Believe me, I am more dissatisfied. The absence of significant progress, stable performance of our teams, the construction of a national stadium, the realization of various dreams is all my job and responsibility first and foremost. I assure you that the Football Federation of Armenia has done everything possible, even the impossible, to achieve good results. Unfortunately, that was not enough, and now we once again face another carousel of uncertainty.

There is a demand for my resignation, which has never disturbed the leadership of the HFF. We have not been disturbed as we have worked honestly, maintained fair conditions for everyone, and implemented many significant programs necessary for good football. However, some of our clubs have tried to gain privileges from the federation, advantages over other teams, and upon not receiving them, have become staunch opponents. Some owners of our clubs seem to believe, or at least they claim, that we are the ones preparing the youth national team players, and they bear no responsibility for youth football, while the reality is quite the opposite. Some of our coaches also seem to think they know everything, but their demonstrated results speak directly to the contrary… This list can go on, and there is definitely a measure of guilt on the part of the HFF leadership, as, for instance, we have not completely succeeded in ensuring the standards of youth football in clubs.

We have also failed to fully unite those concerned about Armenian football. However, it is regrettable that constructive criticism, which we have constantly discussed with our stakeholders in various forums and formats, gets mixed with the voices of opportunists, those who think only of their own interests. Such people exist in every country and every field. It is a pity only that in our country they have mingled with true football fans.

What is the solution? In recent years, a tradition has developed in football to elect a transparent and competitive leadership of the HFF. Otherwise, every failure of the national team would require a change in leadership, and in that case, nothing would change. I understand the dissatisfaction of our fans, but I do not accept a style of communication that relies on ultimatums. I am not attached and have never been attached to the chair of the federation president, but have always prioritized football interests over personal ones. And I find it essential at this moment to complete the important initiatives that have been started, which should become a reality by 2025 under necessary stability.

Firstly, Armenia and Georgia have submitted a joint bid to host the final of the 2029 Youth World Cup. The conduct of such a tournament would greatly stimulate the development of football and other infrastructure in Armenia. There may be numerous obstacles in this process, which we are confident we will overcome with the help of our international partners. We are close to starting the National Stadium project in Armenia, which will be a critical project for Armenian football. Important decisions must be made for Armenia at the UEFA and FIFA congresses scheduled for 2025, which will ultimately secure Armenia firmly on the global football map.

At this moment, no matter how tempting it may seem to leave with a resignation and free myself from this heavy burden, I am more concerned about the coming critical year’s tasks, with a readiness to complete unfinished work and a desire to shape future plans and objectives through discussion. The HFF leadership, for its part, is ready for any discussions aimed at identifying problems and finding solutions. I am hopeful that through the processes of the coming year, we will manage to unite all those concerned about Armenian football.”