Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry issued a statement on the visit of Henrikh Mkhitaryan, a midfielder for Borussia Dortmund and the Armenian national football team for a Europa League match with Gabala, Azerbaijan, Contact.az reports.

“Football is a team sport. The whole team of Borussia Dortmund, rather than an individual player is arriving in Azerbaijan,” a Foreign Ministry representative said.

As a result of a Europa League group stage draw on August 28, Borussia found itself in the same group with Azerbaijan’s Gabala. Some Azerbaijani media began speculating whether Mkhitaryan, who has visited Nagorno Karabakh a number of times could be denied a visa.

Gabala management took no stance, declaring that the state is to decide whether to grant the footballer entry or not.

Borussia’s management, in turn, expressed hope that no problems will arise with Mkhitaryan’s visit to Azerbaijan, as he is a key player for the team.