Europa League: Henrikh Mkhitaryan to skip match in Baku

Armenian international Henrikh Mkhitaryan is likely to miss Borussia Dortmund’s upcoming UEFA Europa League match against Gabala FC in Azerbaijan, reports.

The issue has long been discussed, but now it’s almost certain: Henrikh Mkhitaryan (26) will not fly Wednesday for the match against Gabala in Baku. “The risk for the Armenians is too large,” the club has said.

BVB boss Hans-Joachim Watzke told Bild: “Mkhitaryan will probably be denied boarding. We have the situation checked, and there because of the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, we have a personal duty to care for our players.”

“The entry would be possible; however, in visa matters it’s always a problem if someone visited Nagorno Karabakh in the recent years. Azerbaijan sees this as a provocation,” Watzke said.

Disclaimer: This article was contributed and translated into English by Emil Lazarian. While we strive for quality, the views and accuracy of the content remain the responsibility of the contributor. Please verify all facts independently before reposting or citing.

Direct link to this article: https://www.armenianclub.com/2015/10/19/europa-league-henrikh-mkhitaryan-to-skip-match-in-baku/

Emil Lazarian

“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS