Macedonia coach unaware of Erdogan’s promise of rewardOctober 6, 2011 - 20:32 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Macedonia squad coach commented on recent rumours, suggesting Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan offered a monetary reward to the team in case of a win in UEFA EURO 2012 qualifier vs. Armenia. “I’ve worked in Turkey for 2 years, and haven’t been acquainted with either the PM or any other Turkish officials,” John Toshack told a news conference in Yerevan. According to some media reports, Erdogan promised the reward during a private meeting with Macedonia parliament speaker Trajko Veljanoski. Experts believe that Erdogan’s interest in causing Armenia’s defeat is prompted by Turkey’s wish to avoid facing the squad in Euro 2012 play-off. Armenia vs. Macedonia UEFA EURO 2012 Group B qualifier is due October 7, 8 p.m. Yerevan time at Vazgen Sargsyan stadium. Armenia is placed 3rd in Group B with 14 points; Macedonia is 5th with 7 points. The first march between the teams ended in a 2:2 draw. 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 | Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Azerbaijan must respect human rights, Scholz tells Aliyev German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has called for greater respect for human rights in Azerbaijan. |