UEFA

UEFA decides to cancel Armenia vs Azerbaijan matches and give both sides zero points. While Armenia wanted to play according to UEFA rules and was ready to host a match in Armenia and travel to Baku for the exchange game, Azerbaijan refused to host Armenia and travel to Yerevan, thus going against the established UEFA rules.

Usually in this type of a situation UEFA punishes the side that goes against the established rules. In this case Armenia and Azerbaijan are punished in an equal way. One asks WHY? How just is this?

Armenia is punished with a zero points for not agreeing to play in a neutral field. Yerevan wanted to play according to the rules of the UEFA game. If UEFA was going to say in case Armenia and Azerbaijan fall in the same group we will cancel the matches unless they agreed to play in a neutral game, it should had done this before the teams were selected so everyone would know the rules.

Now, both UEFA and Azerbaijan change rules in the middle of the game. This throws a big shade on the impartiality and authority or UEFA.

“The UEFA Executive Committee, chaired by UEFA President Michel Platini, completed its meeting today midday, at the Abe Lenstra stadium in Heerenveen, ahead of tonight’s UEFA European Under-21 Championship Final.

“Also reviewed was the situation regarding the location of the matches to be played between Armenia and Azerbaijan, in the UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying competition. As no suitable compromise could be found between the two associations it was decided to cancel the two matches, namely Azerbaijan-Armenia scheduled for 8 September and Armenia-Azerbaijan schedule for 12 September, and to award both associations zero points for the matches.”

Yes UEFA has the right to cancel matches, but only of two parties give consent. Armenia has repeatedly said that it will not agree to cancellation. Now the games are canceled with both parties awarded zero points. As you notice in the quotation “As no suitable compromise could be found between the two associations…” Suitable compromise??? So if one of the national teams of UEFA wants to violate the rules of UEFA games the solution is to find a suitable compromise or to punish the violator? I rest my case.

This is not just and not fair. Soccer, sports and politics should not mix. In fact Armenia thought that traveling to Bauk and hosting the National Soccer Team of Azerbaijan could be a good will gesture toward making a contribution to a peace process negotiated by the OSCE. UEFA should have taken this into consideration and award this approach.

However, UEFA awards peace with zero points.

We call on UEFA to reconsider its decision and reestablish justice. If one party does not want to play with the rules that UEFA has established, why should the other party be deprived from points?

UEFA should give Azerbaijan a second chance to play the games with Armenia and promote them under a peace initiative, not under animosity. If Azerbaijan does not agree to the long established rules of UEFA, it should be punished for such a behavior and Armenia given the deserved points.

Sports and politics should not be mixed with each other. In fact sports and games have always been promoter of peace and understanding among nations.