Just as political enthusiasts found themselves casually deploying the lexicon of international trade after the Brexit vote, so football supporters are having to brush up on their international relations. After becoming familiar with the internecine struggles of the Arabian gulf these past few weeks, attention now turns to the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh and the implications for a showpiece final next week.
At base, it’s a question of safety. Henrikh Mkhitaryan will not travel with his Arsenal teammates to Baku, Azerbaijan, for the Europa League final because – as an Armenian – he believes he will not be safe in the city. Azerbaijan customarily refuses entry to Armenian nationals and while its Football Association (and Uefa) insist “Micki” is welcome and every necessary preparation has been taken to protect him, neither the player nor his club are inclined to accept this argument. As a result, he is staying in London and rightly so. No game of football is worth endangering a person’s safety. To suggest, as the Azerbaijani ambassador to the UK has done, that the midfielder is playing politics with his decision is an inexcusable provocation.
Written by Paul MacInnes
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/may/21/baku-football-henrikh-mkhitaryan-europa-league under the title “Baku farce is a reminder football should use its influence for the better | Paul MacInnes”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
