AZERBAIJANI SPORTSMAN, WHO HAD SQUATTED DURING ARMENIAN ANTHEM, AND HIS COACH GET CONFUSED IN THEIR EXCUSES

13:14 01/04/2015 >> SOCIETY

Azerbaijani Sambo wrestler Bakhtiyar Abbasov, who had taken 3rd
place in the World Cup in Moscow, apologized to the winner of the
Cup, the Armenian sportsman Ashot Danielyan, for demonstratively
squatting during the Armenian anthem after the winners awarding,
Armenpress reports citing Levon Hayrapetyan, the President of the
Armenian Sambo Federation. He stated that the representative of the
Azerbaijani Embassy in Russia also came up to him and apologized
assuring that they would work with the sportsman.

After the statement was published by the Armenian media, Abbasov
and his coach tried to make excuses to their compatriots and made
contradicting statements.

The head coach of the Azerbaijani Sambo national team, Yagub
Abdullayev, told the Azerbaijani outlet Sportbox.az that Bakhtiyar
squatted because he felt bad at that moment.

However, according to Oxu.az, Bakhtiyar Abbasov himself admitted
that the tournament was held in a city where “many Armenians live,”
and he squatted on purpose.

“Even if the situation repeats, I will not stand up again. I have
taken part in many competitions and always listened to the anthems of
other countries. Yet, I cannot listen to the Armenian anthem on foot.

If any Azerbaijani remained standing, it means he is not an
Azerbaijani. This is my personal opinion,” the Azerbaijani sportsman
claimed and pointed out that he had no pain or any complaint, he just
squatted when the Armenian anthem started to play.

Related:

Protest in Azerbaijan against Armenian sportsmen’s arrival at
European Games

Armenian boxers attacked with stones in Baku: Gabrielyan confirms

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress