VIDEO. The ‘Slap’ of Reality for Melikbekyan: His Removal is Inevitable

The Armenian national football team suffered yet another disgraceful defeat, this time losing 0:1 to the ‘dwarf’ team of the Faroe Islands in the group stage of the Nations League at the ‘Republican’ stadium. Just about a month ago, our team lost 0:2 to North Macedonia in Yerevan, after which fans demanded the resignation of the Football Federation of Armenia (FFA) President Armen Melikbekyan.

In an attempt to ease the situation, Melikbekyan dismissed the national team’s Ukrainian head coach Alexander Petrokov. By scapegoating Petrokov, he perhaps hoped that in the upcoming match, the Armenian team would achieve a positive result and the call for his resignation would be pushed to the background, but…

As it is commonly said, escaping reality is impossible. Yesterday, reality delivered a painful ‘slap’ to the FFA president, making his removal no longer a matter of choice. The Armenian team displayed even more toothless and weak football. Today, the Armenian team stands on the brink of relegation to the lowest D division of the Nations League, and the blame and responsibility for all this lies with the FFA leadership.

Days ago, the Armenian U-19 team suffered a humiliating defeat, losing 0:4 to Croatia in Yerevan. The list of disgraceful losses by all age-level national teams could go on. During Ruben Hayrapetyan’s term, formerly known as Nemets Rubo, Melikbekyan and his deputy Armen Nikoghosyan have leveled Armenian football to the ground. To escape this extremely difficult situation, sharp and resuscitative actions are necessary.

In this situation, it is also essential for authorities, including the head of state Pashinyan, to play their part in the difficult task of saving Armenian football. Armenian football must rid itself of the current leadership of the FFA, which has become a banner of disgrace.