UEFA bans Azeri club official over racist comments against ArmeniansNovember 4, 2020 - 17:56 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - An official at Azeri club Qarabag has been provisionally banned by UEFA while he is investigated for potentially “violating basic rules of decent conduct” in anti-Armenian comments he made on social media, the European soccer body said on Wednesday, November 4, Reuters reports. UEFA said that Nurlan Ibrahimov had also been charged with racist and discriminatory conduct over the comments. It did not give further details and Ibrahimov did not immediately comment. Ibrahimov, a PR and media manager at the club called for killing "all the Armenians, including women, children and elderly, without distinction". Following his comments, the Football Federation of Armenia called for Qarabag to be expelled from European football for comments Ibrahimov made about Armenians, which he had subsequently deleted. Last month, UEFA reprimanded players and officials from Qarabag for performing a military salute during their Europa League qualifying match away to Legia Warsaw on Oct. 1. Hate speech and calls for violence against Armenians have surged to an unprecedented level in Azerbaijan, especially amid Baku's aggression against Nagorno-Karabakh. Turks and Azeris living abroad, meanwhile, have been threatening Armenians and attacking them during peaceful gatherings and rallies. Azerbaijan, with help from Turkey and Syrian and Libyan mercenaries deployed by Ankara, started a war against Karabakh (Artsakh) in the morning of September 27. The Armenian side has reported deaths and injuries both among the civilian population and the military. Foreign and local journalists too have been injured in Azeri shelling of towns and villages. Top stories Armenian gymnast, Olympic bronze medalist Artur Davtyan has reached the finals of the World Cup. Gor Manvelyan has denied reports alleging that he has expressed a desire to one day play for the French national team. Roma midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan is not considering FC Spartak Moscow as his next haven, according to fresh reports. 10 Armenian lifters will compete in the 2021 World Championships scheduled to be held from 7 to 17 December in Tashkent. Partner news | European Parliament to discuss repression in Azerbaijan The European Parliament will discuss repression of civil society in Azerbaijan on April 24 PACE wants concessions from Azerbaijan to accept Baku back A PACE co-rapporteur said that Azerbaijani authorities must make certain concessions so that the country can return to PACE. Cyprus parliament honors Armenian genocide victims Acting House President Zacharias Koulias noted that April 24 marks the “black anniversary” of the Armenian genocide. Armenia PM, France envoy discuss regional matters Issues related to the consistent development of Armenia-France cooperation were discussed. |