Jurgen Klopp slams Azerbaijan venue for Europa League finalMay 11, 2019 - 15:26 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Jurgen Klopp has hit out at the ‘irrisponsible’ decision to host this season’s Europa League final between Arsenal and Chelsea at Baku’s Olympic Stadium, Metro says. Respective victories over Valencia and Eintracht Frankfurt ensured both European finals will be contested by English clubs, after Tottenham and Liverpool reached next month’s Champions League showpiece occasion in Madrid having completed epic comebacks in their own semi finals. Although airlines and travel companies have hiked up their prices for fans planning travel arrangements to the Spanish capital, Klopp insists he has greater sympathy with supporters of Arsenal and Chelsea who will have to make near 6,000-mile round trips, assuming they can secure a ticket given both clubs have only been allocated 6,000 each by UEFA. ‘I think going to Baku, that’s really funny for a European final,’ said the Liverpool manager. ‘These guys who make the decisions I don’t know what they have for breakfast really. ‘How can you do it? Last year we go to Kiev which is a wonderful city but that a Russian team, or one from that part of the world, will be involved is not really likely. ‘You go there and now Madrid has to prepare for 200,000 English fans. Baku I have no clue how to get there or if there is any regular flight at all. ‘In these decisions people must be a much more sensible and reasonable. It is irresponsible.’ Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry has indicated that Armenian fotball player, Arsenal soccer star Henrikh Mkhitarian can play in the Europa League final in Baku later this month, despite long-standing tensions between Azerbaijan and his native Armenia, 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 | Russia clarifying reports on Baku’s alleged arms supply to Ukraine Russia says is carefully working to verify reports about alleged arms supplies from Azerbaijan to Ukraine Russia warns Armenia against “falling into West’s trap” Zakharova maintained, however, that anything that will benefit the people of Armenia can only be welcomed. CSTO: Armenia has not participated in secretariat’s work recently Recently Armenia has not participated in the work of the secretariat of the CSTO, Imangali Tasmagambetov said. Meeting with U.S., EU not against third parties, says Armenia The meeting scheduled for April 5 is dedicated to strengthening of the Armenia-EU-US cooperation, Yerevan added. |