The Armenian Football Federation has revived its old logo, featuring Mt. AGri shortly before the World Cup qualifying rematch between Turkey and Armenia. The federation’s chief opposes the politicization of the football match between the national teams and the term “football diplomacy”
Although the World Cup qualifying game in Yerevan last year between Armenia and Turkey continued the improvement of relations between the two countries, the top executive of Armenian football is extremely uncomfortable with the term “football diplomacy.”
Armenia Football Federation President Ruben Hayrapetyan told the Hurriyet Daily News & Economic Review that too much is expected from the sport as the two teams prepare for the return game, to be played next Wednesday.
“World public opinion made the [first] match too big of a deal and did not stop there, calling it „football diplomacy.“ I do not like this term at all,” said Hayrapetyan. “I want neither my federation nor my players to be political figures. Politics do not interest us at all.”
Armenian President Serge Sarkisian invited Turkish President Abdullah Gul to Yerevan to watch the first game in September, 2008. Gul traveled to Armenia and the two presidents watched the game together. Hundreds of journalists from all over the world followed the event, giving it widespread positive coverage.
Mt. Agri is on the logo again At the first game, journalists received gift bags branded with the logo of the football federation, which notably did not include the image of Mt. Agri or Mt. Ararat in Armenian. The old logo was recently revived, and news of its reappearance was widely covered by the Turkish press. The change caused a debate to erupt in Armenia. Claims were made that the decision was made by the Sarkisian administration, but Hayrapetyan denied those reports. “We had decided to change our logo as the federation; it was our own decision. However, we did not like the new logo and decided to revert to the old one. Therefore, Mt. Ararat is back on our logo again.”
Mt. Agri is considered holy and is one of the most commonly used symbols in Armenia, both officially and unofficially. The eastern territory of Turkey, where Mt. Agri is located, is considered to be “Armenian land” by some Armenians.
The return match is in Bursa The central Anatolian city of Kayseri, President Gul's hometown, was expected to host the Armenia game. However, the Turkish Football Federation decided to play Wednesday's game in the northwestern city of Bursa.
Complaints from coach Fatih Terim over the condition of the pitch at Kayseri's Kadir Has Stadium, which hosted the Turkey-Estonia game last month, are said to have scrapped plans to host the rematch there.
Hayrapetyan said the location would not be a problem. “Wherever is suitable for the match, we can play there; there is no problem for us. The stadium having the necessary infrastructure is enough.”
Hayrapatyan said he hopes the Armenian team will not repeat the mistakes of last year. “Last year's match was so politicized that it caused great pressure on the players. I hope the same thing will not be experienced again; it is very wearing for the players.“
Will Armenian supporters visit Turkey? Turkish supporters did not attend last year's game and no Armenian fans are expected to attend the return game. „Because of security reasons, I do not believe that Armenian supporters will go to Turkey,“ said Hayrapetyan. When reminded that there are thousands of Armenians in Turkey, the federation chief said that everybody may visit Turkey or Armenia individually, but that „visiting as a team's supporter is a different thing.”
Hayrapetyan hopes that Armenia will make a strong showing against the tough Turkish team.
“The Turkish national team is a strong one but let's not forget that the ball is round. In short, let the best team win,” he said.
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