Category: 2019

Sports: Arsenal want answers over Baku

Parkev Tvankchian
The Evening Standard (London)
May 16, 2019 Thursday
Arsenal want answers over Baku

Angry Arsenal want Final answers
 
by James Olley
 
 
ARSENAL today urged UEFA to explain their reasoning in selecting Baku for the Europa League Final after casting doubt over whether they can sell out their 6,000 allocation.
 
The Gunners face Chelsea in Azerbaijan on May 29 with fans struggling for flights and accommodation to make the near 6,000-mile round trip to see the club’s first European Final in 13 years.
 
Arsenal are also in contact with the Foreign Office to help British-Armenian ticket holders gain access to Azerbaijan.
 
There are currently no diplomatic relations between the two countries due to a conflict over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, meaning those holding Armenian passports are likely to have their visa applications rejected. The Gunners’ Armenia winger Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s participation is also in doubt as while special dispensation will be granted to allow him into the country, Arsenal are continuing to seek additional assurances over his security in Azerbaijan.
 
UEFA admitted in a statement on Friday that Baku’s infrastructure prevented increasing the allocations given to Arsenal and Chelsea, claiming “it was deemed that around 15,000 spectators would be able to travel from abroad [this includes finalists’ fans and general public], with Baku as the main hub”.
 
However, Arsenal have asked for further clarification over UEFA’s process in choosing one of the most inaccessible options possible to stage Continued on Page 48 Continued from Page 51 the Final after releasing a strongly worded statement this morning.
 
It read: “We are bitterly disappointed by the fact that due to transport limitations UEFA can only make a maximum of 6,000 tickets available to Arsenal for a stadium with a capacity of well over 60,000. Time will tell if it is even possible for 6,000 Arsenal fans to attend the match, given how extreme the travel challenges are.
 
“We have 45,000 season-ticket holders and for so many fans to miss out due to UEFA selecting a venue with such limited transport provision is not right. The reality is that whoever reached the Final would not be able to meet demand from their supporters. We have received many complaints from our fans about this and we fully share their concerns.
 
“We would like to understand the criteria by which venues are selected for finals and also how supporter requirements are taken into account as part of this.
 
“We would urge UEFA to ensure that supporter logistics and requirements are a key part of any future decisions for final venues as what has happened this season is unacceptable. We would be happy to join any future discussions to avoid this happening again.”
 
Meanwhile, Tottenham and Liverpool supporters have called on UEFA’s leading Champions League sponsors, such as Nissan, Pepsi and PlayStation, to return a portion of their tickets for this year’s Final to be reallocated to fans.
 
Each side has been given 16,613 tickets, despite the Estadio Metropolitano holding 68,000, as UEFA prioritises “the local organising committee, UEFA and national associations, commercial partners and broadcasters”.
 
In conjunction with the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust, Liverpool fans’ group Spirit of Shankly wrote: “We ask [the sponsors] to help redress the balance.”

Sports: FARCE CONTINUES: Arsenal fans denied entry visas for Azerbaijan to watch Europa League final

Ani Kharatian
The Sun, UK
May 16 2019

FARCE CONTINUES: Arsenal fans denied entry visas for Azerbaijan to watch Europa League final

Gunners released a strongly worded statement to Uefa following the decision to host the final in Baku

 By Richard Forrester


ARSENAL have been forced to step in after some fans have been denied a visa for their Europa League final in Azerbaijan.

The Gunners have held talks with the Foreign Office after the club’s British-Armenian season ticket holders have been told they won’t be allowed in the country.

According to The Times, Arsenal want the Azerbaijan government to make an exception so loyal fans can watch the clash against Chelsea on May 29.

There are huge political tensions between Azerbaijan and neighbouring Armenia.

And it appears to also prevent Arsenal’s Henrikh Mkhitaryan from taking part in the final for security reasons.

The Armenian international is set to be granted a visa on sporting grounds to take part but is deciding whether to participate with fears over his safety.

According to the Guardian, there is ‘significant anger’ at the club as a player is ‘essentially forced to miss such a major match’ which are out of his – or Arsenal’s – control.

No other Arsenal midfielder has played more minutes in this season’s Europa Leaguethan the former Borussia Dortmund and Manchester United man

Earlier on Thursday Arsenal released a statement slamming Uefa for the “unacceptable” decision to host the Europa League final in Baku.

The Gunners and Chelsea have been given just 6,000 tickets each for the showdowndespite the Baku Olympic Stadium’s capacity of almost 70,000.

A statement said: “Everyone at Arsenal is delighted to have reached the Uefa Europa League final and we are all very much looking forward to the match against Chelsea on Wednesday, May 29.

“However, we are bitterly disappointed by the fact that due to transport limitations Uefa can only make a maximum of 6,000 tickets available to Arsenal for a stadium with a capacity of well over 60,000.

“Time will tell if it is even possible for 6,000 Arsenal fans to attend the match, given how extreme the travel challenges are.

“We have 45,000 season-ticket holders and for so many fans to miss out due to selecting a final venue with such limited transport provision is quite simply not right.

“The reality is that whoever reached the final would not be able to meet demand from their supporters.”

Sports: BAKU BLOW: Arsenal are ‘not optimistic’ Henrikh Mkhitaryan will be able to play in the Europa final due to fears about his safety

Khondkarian Raffi
The Sun, UK
May 16 2019
BAKU BLOW: Arsenal are ‘not optimistic’ Henrikh Mkhitaryan will be able to play in the Europa final due to fears about his safety

There is thought to be ‘significant anger’ from the club as a player looks set to miss such a high-profile match for reasons outside of his control

 By Joshua Jones



ARSENAL are not optimistic Henrikh Mkhitaryan will be available for their Europa League final with Chelsea, according to reports.

It is understood the club are becoming increasingly resigned to the fact they may well have to leave the midfielder at home when they travel to Baku.

According to the Guardian, there is ‘significant anger’ at the club as a player is ‘essentially forced to miss such a major match over safety issues’ which are out of his – or Arsenal’s – control.

Mkhitaryan is understandably disappointed that his safety cannot be guaranteed due to political tensions between Azerbaijan – where the final is being played – and his home country of Armenia.

Even the Gunners’ injured players such as Hector Bellerin and Rob Holding will make the trip despite knowing they will not be involved in the game against Prem rivals Chelsea.

No other Arsenal midfielder has played more minutes in this season’s Europa League than the former Borussia Dortmund and Manchester United man.

And his experience in the final of the competition – he scored two years ago when the Red Devils beat Ajax – could have proved crucial.

The report also states that Arsenal are unlikely to pull out in protest due to the magnitude of the match – £60million and Champions League qualification are on the line.

Boss Unai Emery spoke about the issue following the win at Burnley on Sunday.

He said: “One is a political issue and I don’t know really know the solution.

“We want to play with him and against Burnley he worked very well.

“We will do all possible to have every player and him. But I don’t know how this is really a possibility with him and the political issues.

“It is not in my hands and I don’t understand what is the situation.

“The problem is with the two countries. We will do all we can but it is not the only issue.”

Arsenal also hit out at Uefa for the “unacceptable” decision to hold the game in Baku.

The two clubs have been given just 6,000 tickets each in the 67,000-seater stadium.

A statement said: “Everyone at Arsenal is delighted to have reached the Uefa Europa League final and we are all very much looking forward to the match against Chelsea on Wednesday, May 29.

“However, we are bitterly disappointed by the fact that due to transport limitations Uefa can only make a maximum of 6,000 tickets available to Arsenal for a stadium with a capacity of well over 60,000.

“Time will tell if it is even possible for 6,000 Arsenal fans to attend the match, given how extreme the travel challenges are.

“We have 45,000 season-ticket holders and for so many fans to miss out due to selecting a final venue with such limited transport provision is quite simply not right.

“The reality is that whoever reached the final would not be able to meet demand from their supporters.”

Sports: The vicious ethnic war behind Mkhitaryan’s Europa League absence

Kalashian Nyrie
The Times, UK
The vicious ethnic war behind Mkhitaryan’s Europa League absence

by  Tom Parfitt, Moscow


The roots of Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s probable absence from the Europa League final

at the end of this month lie in a vicious ethnic war, fought more than a quarter of a century ago.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, chunks of it made bids to break away from larger territories.

At least 30,000 people died in Nagorno-Karabakh between 1991 and 1994 when the mountainous Armenian-dominated region seceded from Azerbaijan and proclaimed an independent republic.

The conflict has flared up occasionally ever since. In 2016, shells flew across the border into the tiny hamlet of Talish in northeast Nagorno-Karabakh, ploughing into homes, the wall of a kindergarten and the roof of the village administration.

An Azerbaijani ground incursion followed and the bodies of an Armenian couple in their late 60s and the man’s 92-year-old mother were later found in their home. They had been shot dead and allegedly had their ears sliced off.

The facts of the conflict – other atrocities are claimed on both sides – and the control of territory remain questions of bitter dispute between Baku and Yerevan.

The region’s independence has not been recognised by a single country, and no lasting settlement was ever reached.

Recently, there have been encouraging signs. Since the former journalist, Nikol Pashinyan, became prime minister of Armenia last year, he has met President Aliyev of Azerbaijan four times, and discussed moves to peace. Ceasefire violations have decreased.

Yet, fears of a random act of violence would likely remain if the Armenian Mkhitaryan was to go to Baku, where the Europa League final between Arsenal and Chelsea is to be played.

One example of the passions the conflict can provoke was the murder in 2004 of Gurgen Margaryan in Budapest. The Armenian army lieutenant was asleep in a dormitory when Ramil Safarov, an Azerbaijani officer, broke in and killed him with an axe.

Both men had been attending English-language courses in Hungary organised by Nato’s Partnership for Peace programme. Under interrogation, Safarov said Margaryan had insulted him, and thoughts of the Nagorno-Karabakh war had spurred him on. “I regret that I hadn’t killed any Armenian before this,” he said.

After serving eight years in prison in Hungary, Safarov was transferred to Baku to serve out his life sentence, only to be immediately pardoned by President Aliyev, and promoted.

When Mkhitaryan, 30, did not travel to Baku for a match with Qarabag in October, the Azerbaijani team’s coach, Gurban Gurbanov, said Arsenal had “tried to save” the player and were “afraid” of him appearing in front of a 68,000-capacity crowd at the city’s Olympic Stadium.

Azerbaijan’s foreign ministry indicated last week that

Mikhitaryan would get a visa for the final

, saying other Armenian sportsmen had taken part in events there, and “sports and politics are separate”.

But the midfielder has never played in the country, also missing a fixture in Azerbaijan when he was at Borussia Dortmund, and it will be no surprise if he is left out now.

Sports: IVAN THE TERRIBLE: Ex-Arsenal chief Ivan Gazidis partly to blame for Baku farce as it is revealed he was on UEFA committee that named Europa League final host

Hovik Karapetian
The Sun, UK
May 17, 2019 Friday 10:06 AM GMT

IVAN THE TERRIBLE: Ex-Arsenal chief Ivan Gazidis partly to blame for Baku farce as it is revealed he was on Uefa committee that named Europa League final host
 
The Gunners face Chelsea in Azerbaijan on May 29, with both clubs allocated just 6,000 tickets for the clash

By Jake Lambourne


FORMER Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis had an influence on Baku being chosen as the host city to stage the Europa League final, it has been revealed.

The 54-year-old – who quit the Gunners for AC Milan last year – was on the Uefa executive committee in September 2017 that selected the venue.

The decision to hold the final in Azerbaijan has been heavily criticised by Arsenal and Chelsea fans ahead of their clash on May 29.

Supporters have been left fuming with both London teams allocated just 6,000 tickets each – with Uefa claiming they cannot handle an influx of more than 15,000 fans.

And the Arsenal and Blues faithful face a nightmare 2,468-mile trip journey should they get tickets for the match, with return economy flights to cost almost £1,000.

Unai Emery’s side slammed Uefa for allowing the fixture to be played in Baku as they issued a scathing statement where they branded the decision as “unacceptable”.

They said: “Everyone at Arsenal is delighted to have reached the Uefa Europa League final and we are all very much looking forward to the match against Chelsea on Wednesday, May 29.

“However, we are bitterly disappointed by the fact that due to transport limitations Uefa can only make a maximum of 6,000 tickets available to Arsenal for a stadium with a capacity of well over 60,000.

“Time will tell if it is even possible for 6,000 Arsenal fans to attend the match, given how extreme the travel challenges are.

“We have 45,000 season-ticket holders and for so many fans to miss out due to Uefa selecting a final venue with such limited transport provision is quite simply not right.

“The reality is that whoever reached the final would not be able to meet demand from their supporters.

“We have received many complaints from our fans about this and we fully share their concerns.

“On behalf of our fans, we would like to understand the criteria by which venues are selected for finals, and also how supporter requirements are taken into account as part of this.

“Moving forward we would urge Uefa to ensure that supporter logistics and requirements are a key part of any future decisions for final venues as what has happened this season is unacceptable, and cannot be repeated.

“We would be happy to join any future discussions to avoid this situation happening again.”

Arsenal look set to be without Armenian international Henrikh Mkhitaryan due to security fears, while Chelsea have been rocked by the news that Ruben Loftus-Cheek has ruptured his Achilles.

Sports: UEFA writes letter to Arsenal over Europa League final issues

Ekmekjian Janet
Belfast Telegraph Online
Friday 11:10 AM GMT
 
 
UEFA writes letter to Arsenal over Europa League final issues
Supporters heading out from London face a round trip of 2,500 miles.
 
 
UEFA has called for a “joint effort” with Arsenal to help fans get to the Europa League final against Chelsea in Baku.
 
The two Premier League rivals are set to meet in the Azerbaijan capital on May 29 – but the decision to host the fixture in Baku’s Olympic Stadium has thrown up plenty of issues since the two London clubs qualified last week.
 
Arsenal and Chelsea have already declared their disappointment at the ticket allocation for the final, with both clubs receiving in the region of 6,000 tickets each for a stadium which has a full capacity of 69,870.
 
UEFA writes letter to Arsenal over Europa League final issues twitter 1
 
On Thursday, UEFA competitions director Giorgio Marchetti wrote a letter to Arsenal regarding the issues raised, in which he said: “I confirm our availability to work with you in order to find helpful solutions for your fans.”
 
Travel to Baku is also proving an issue for those fans who have qualified for a match ticket, with fans heading out from London facing a round trip of 2,500 miles to attend the game.
 
Arsenal are also liaising with the Foreign Office after it emerged season-ticket holders with dual British and Armenian citizenship have been denied visas to visit Baku because of tensions with neighbouring Azerbaijan.
 
UEFA writes letter to Arsenal over Europa League final issues twitter 2
 
Gunners midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan, captain of the Armenia national team, missed the Europa League group game against Qarabag in Baku earlier this season because of the issue.
 
The club are now working with UEFA in the hope safety measures can be put in place to allow the 30-year-old to travel for the final as part of Unai Emery’s squad.
 
UEFA also defended the decision to award the showpiece final to Baku.
 
UEFA writes letter to Arsenal over Europa League final issues twitter 3
 
Marchetti’s letter continued: “It goes without saying that an all-English final played by two London teams was not a very predictable event at the time of the appointment. There is little doubt that this has added significant difficulties to the event logistics.
 
“We are really sorry for the problems that your (and Chelsea’s) fans are encountering trying to organise their journey to Baku.
 
“Our experts are keenly working on this matter with a view to help find cheaper solutions for travelling fans. We would welcome a joint effort with your club in this respect.”
 
Governing body UEFA also highlighted the logistical issues taken into consideration when awarding a final to a host city, stressing “mobility and accommodation are obviously key criteria”.
 
UEFA writes letter to Arsenal over Europa League final issues twitter 4
 
On the issue of ticket allocation, UEFA maintained the “high volatility in the number of fans following the two finalist teams” was always a factor – one which had been exacerbated by two well-supported English clubs making the final.
 
The letter added: “It is therefore not advisable to establish the tickets quota of the two finalist teams as a proportion of capacity rather than on statistically based realistic figures.”
 
UEFA, though, maintained “fans are a priority… and all of them around Europe should have the chance to enjoy unique moments of top football.”
 
Marchetti’s letter to Arsenal finished with the message: “I trust your understanding as men of sport and representatives of a club with a long and glorious tradition and solid sporting principles. I confirm our availability to work with you in order to find helpful solutions for your fans.”
 
Press Association Sport has contacted both Arsenal and Chelsea for comment.

Sports: Mkhitaryan to miss final over safety concerns

Garnik Zakarian
The Times, UK
Mkhitaryan to miss final over safety concerns

Gary Jacob

Arsenal are expecting to leave Henrikh Mkhitaryan at home for the Europa League final against Chelsea in Baku on May 29 for fear that his presence will be a security risk and distraction for the rest of the squad and staff.

Diplomatic tensions between Mkhitaryan’s native Armenia and Azerbaijan, the host nation for the final, exist because of a longstanding conflict over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh territory. The midfielder could be a target for an attack because of unconfirmed rumours that he has visited the disputed region in recent years.

There is significant anger within the club that he could be forced to miss such an important match, the winners of which qualify for next season’s Champions League.

Arsenal have sought assurances about Mkhitaryan’s safety from Uefa and were told that the governing body would increase security and ensure that he obtained a visa.

The club believe there would still be a significant risk because Mkhitaryan is a high-profile player. It is also felt that the Armenia captain’s presence would have an impact on the rest of the team and staff during their time in the city.

Arsenal will make a final decision by early next week because the team are scheduled to fly to Baku a week on Saturday, four days before the match.

Mkhitaryan, 30, has played in 11 of Arsenal’s 14 Europa League matches and scored for Manchester United when they beat Ajax in the final two years ago. The midfielder did not apply for a visa when Arsenal played Qarabag in Baku in the group stage in October.

Uefa has indicated that it will lean on the authorities in Azerbaijan to try to ensure that there are no problems in obtaining a visa this time around and could also use the fact that it has named Baku’s Olympic Stadium as a venue for four matches at Euro 2020 as leverage.

Arsenal have also raised concerns with Uefa over the costs and logistics faced by supporters wanting to travel to Baku. Flights from London have been priced at about £1,000, which has put off many season ticket-holders from both clubs. Arsenal and Chelsea have made their 6,000 allocation available to their wider database of supporters, including members, which is unprecedented for a showcase final.

It is estimated that there may be between 2,000 and 3,000 supporters from each club who travel from London, supplemented by fans from Europe. A number of Arsenal fans from Armenia or those that are British-Armenian say that they have been denied a visa.

“Time will tell if it is even possible for 6,000 Arsenal fans to attend the match, given how extreme the travel challenges are,” Arsenal said in a statement. “We have 45,000 season ticketholders and for so many fans to miss out due to Uefa selecting a final venue with such limited transport provision is quite simply not right. The reality is that whoever reached the final would not be able to meet demand from their supporters.

“We have received many complaints from our fans about this and we fully share their concerns. We would like to understand the criteria by which venues are selected for finals, and also how supporter requirements are taken into account as part of this.

“Moving forward we would urge Uefa to ensure that supporter logistics and requirements are a key part of any future decisions for final venues as what has happened this season is unacceptable and cannot be repeated. We would be happy to join any future discussions to avoid this situation happening again.”

Ivan Gazidis, the then Arsenal chairman, was on Uefa’s executive committee when the decision to award the final to Baku was made in September 2017.


British Report Reveals Massive Christian Persecution in Cyprus’ Occupied Territories

Emma Jilavian
Greek Reporter
May 15 2019
By

 Nick Kampouris

 –

May 15, 2019

Destroyed Christian cemetery in the occupied territories of Cyprus. Photo by the Cypriot Federation in the UK

A recent British report on the persecution of Christians around the world features shocking incidents of religious persecution, harassment and destruction inside the Turkish-occupied territories of northern Cyprus.

Philip Mounstephen, the Bishop of Truro in Cornwall, presided over a team of experts who recently analyzed several cases of Christian prosecution around the world, among which Cyprus’ incidents held a prominent place. Mounstephen helmed the project at the command of the British Foreign Office.

The report concluded with the shocking fact that Christians are the most persecuted religious group in the entire world. This is a reality that Western societies have not acknowledged, since Western Christians are seen to enjoy basic religious freedom, without often considering the open persecution which is happening in other parts of the world.

Cyprus is a prominent example of how a European Union state can not only remain under the military occupation of another country, but have its Christian population continue to suffer from Turkish persecution.

The Cathedral of Saint Nicholas and later Saint Sophia in Cyprus’ occupied city of Famagusta. It was converted into a mosque in 1571 and is still operating as such. Photo: Wikipedia

While conducting his investigation, Bishop Mountstephen asked Christos Karaolis, the President of the National Federation of Cypriots in the UK, to provide evidence regarding the current situation in the occupied territories of Cyprus.

The interim report of the British authorities underlined that the situation in northern Cyprus is far from satisfactory. It states that very single one of the Christian groups of the occupied lands of Cyprus, including the Greek Orthodox, Catholic, Armenian and Maronite, have seen their rights and their religious heritage ”utterly disrespected.”

The report suggested that confiscations of church properties, attacks on churches and properties previously owned by Christians, and instances of vandalism of church buildings have occurred frequently in the northern area of Cyprus, which is currently under Turkish occupation.

”Access for worship to the historic Christian Orthodox and Maronite churches in the area is severely restricted (only once a year if specific permission is granted in many cases) and even in the small number of churches where regular Sunday services are permitted, intrusive police surveillance is complained of and services may occasionally be closed down by force and the congregation evicted without notice,” the British report charges.

“Other churches are able to worship weekly but also complain of intrusive police surveillance. Many historic churches and associated cemeteries in the area have also been allowed to fall into disrepair, be vandalized or converted to other uses,” the report noted.

From at least 500 churches which still exist across the occupied territories, a total of seventy-seven have been converted into mosques by the Turks; twenty-eight have even been made into army depots or barracks for soldiers.

One of the most shocking charges in the report states that more than 60,000 Orthodox Christian icons are currently known to have been looted, and 20,000 additional icons are still missing, without any idea where they have ended up or if they have been completely destroyed altogether.

Cyprus remains a prominent, and heartbreaking, example of how much destruction hatred and war can bring upon humanity and the priceless, irreplaceable culture of the West.

https://eu.greekreporter.com/2019/05/15/british-report-reveals-massive-christian-persecution-in-cyprus-occupied-territories/?fbclid=IwAR3Iuts3fBp37bjRw6ACVZmw-dBkt6Z7HFb6SvqLRkMrKuJvARyh2qTKBeA


Armenpress: Armenian minister meets Atos information technology company’s Vice President in Paris

Karakhanian Suren

Armenian minister meets Atos information technology company’s Vice President in Paris

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11:08,

YEREVAN, MAY 18, ARMENPRESS. Armenia’s minister of transport, communication and information technologies Hakob Arshakyan met with Chief Commercial Officer and Vice President of Atos information technology company Robert Vassoyan on the sidelines of the VivaTech 2019 international technological exhibition in Paris, France, the ministry told Armenpress

The meeting was also attended by Armenia’s Ambassador to France Hasmik Tolmajyan.

Minister Arshakyan introduced Robert Vassoyan on the Armenian government’s policy in technology field and the ongoing actions on this path. The minister informed that Armenia has a new ministry of High Technological Industry and presented the structural changes as a result of which the field of high technologies will develop in Armenia.

In his turn Robert Vassoyan highlighted the efforts of the Armenian authorities aimed at technological development and touched upon Armenia’s potential in the field of high technologies. He said he visited Armenia few years ago and is impressed with the Armenian talents, adding that the Armenian companies of the technological field can compare themselves with the world’s leading companies that operate in China, India, US and Silicon Valley. He also expressed readiness to cooperate, contribute to the development of Armenia’s technological sector and assist the government’s all projects.

Minister Hakob Arshakyan thanked for the proposal to support and cooperate and invited Robert Vassoyan to take part in the World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT-2019) which will take place in Yerevan on October 6-9.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan




Armenpress: Yerevan subway to operate on heightened mode

Jagharian Tania

Yerevan subway to operate on heightened mode

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11:20,

YEREVAN, MAY 18, ARMENPRESS. The Yerevan subway will operate on an heightened regime due to the Museum Night event which will launch in Armenia on May 18, the Yerevan Subway said on Facebook.

The Yerevan metro will operate today from 07:00 until 01:00, May 19.

“The Yerevan subway has always operated and operates in accordance with its slogan – fast, safe and uninterrupted”, the statement says.

Edited and translated by Aneta Harutyunyan