The Armenians Henrikh Mkhitaryan waived for security reasons, to travel with Arsenal FC to the final of the Europa League in Baku. A drastic decision, which raises questions.
Excessive caution or legitimate concern? In this issue are the ghosts currently in the case of Henrikh Mkhitaryan. The Armenian midfielder of FC Arsenal had not decided on Tuesday to travel out of fear for their own safety, and his Team to the Europa League final to Baku, the next week Wednesday takes place.
“It hurts that I miss it,” tweeted Mkhitaryan with a view to the final on may 29. May against local rivals Chelsea FC from the English Premier League. The background of its waiver decision, political tensions between Azerbaijan and Mkhitaryan’s homeland of Armenia. It is a question of the Status of the Nagorno-Karabakh Region, which both countries claim. From 1992 to 1994, Armenians and Azerbaijanis fought a bitter war to the Region. Different sources of 25,000 to 50,000 deaths.
Azerbaijan’s government appeased
Earlier, the former Bundesliga player was waived on travel to Azerbaijan. 2015 and 2018 Mkhitaryan, who was born in Armenia’s capital Yerevan and several years in France growing up, with Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal Europa League had missed games at the Azerbaijani club FK Gabala and Qarabag Agdam. However, the insignificant matches were compared to the imminent endgame. “Micki was on our way to the finals, a key player, therefore, from the point of view of the team is a big loss for us,” said Arsenal after Mkhitaryan’s decision and announced a day later, after the Finale, a Meeting with leaders of the European football Union (UEFA) to strive for: “We are not to Express such a Situation is not acceptable and to try to prevent something in the future.”
The government of Azerbaijan, the security concerns of the players and the club does not share. A spokeswoman for the foreign Ministry told the French news Agency AFP: “Despite the difficult relationship between Armenia and Azerbaijan, it is possible to play Mkhitaryan in the Europa League final in Baku.” Also, the Secretary-General of the Azerbaijan football Association, AFFA, Elchan Mamdow, referred to security guarantees to UEFA and said: “He would have no problems here.”
Henrikh Mkhitaryan plays for Arsenal in the Premier League and Armenia national team
The UEFA stated that Mkhitaryan is no reason to make because of its safety. The Association gave the following Statement: “In collaboration with the Arsenal FC, UEFA is of the highest authorities of the country has sought assurances in relation to the safety of the player in Azerbaijan and receive. As a result, this guarantees a comprehensive security plan was developed and the club handed out”, it says. We respect the personal decision, without Mkhitaryan to arrive.
“The highest authorities” and “comprehensive security plan”, it almost sounds a little bit to the spy Thriller. But what exactly Mkhitaryan has anxiety, remains unclear. Further questions of the DW could or did not want to answer to UEFA. The demand, such as the guarantees of security of Azerbaijan, appearance, also remained unanswered.
Gut instinct or political calculation?
What should happen to him already, now some questions. Is Mkhitaryan protected by his celebrity status? What would it be for a scandal, if indeed something would happen, he would be the victim of a threat or even an attack on his health. If he was arrested or kidnapped. According to this history is actually unthinkable. However, Mkhitaryan’s remain concerns, and an uneasy gut feeling – he listens. “This is a very personal matter,” said his coach Unai Emery on Tuesday and made it clear that he would have had the attacker in Baku, sir. “But we can’t do anything about it. We need to respect that.”
Or Mkhitaryan has made aware of unrest, to direct by his resignation the attention of the media and the Public on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict? This is fairly unthinkable for an ambitious athlete like him, not more 30 years, very young. “The players don’t often get the opportunity to ride a European final,” said Arsenal managing Director, Vinai Venkatesham added: “It’s fucking sad that Miki this Chance was robbed.”
If Mkhitaryan this Chance but was actually robbed or even robbed, remains open.