Aghaselim Mirjavadov: "Armenians refused to play because of fear of defeat"

As APA informs, the president of the Russian Soccer Union (RSU) Vitali Mutko commented on the fact that the champion of Armenia "Punik" had refused to play with "Neftchi" in semifinal of the "Union Cup" tournament.

The head of RSU said that he had talked to his Armenian colleague in connection with the problem and noted that "Punik" had left Moscow as they are a weak team: "If you wanted us to ensure your security, I promise. We could request law-enforcement bodies to ensure your security. I do not understand what the problem is. Politics? But USA plays with Iraq… Football and politics are different things. You thought that fans would scuffle in the street? No one is insured from it. Anyway, no tragedy could take place. You know, "Neftchi" is stronger than "Punik" and that is all".

The vice-president of "Punik" Karen Arutyunyan said in a press-conference held in Yerevan that they had refused the match because the organizers had not replied to their appeal on ensuring their security. According to his words, the "Neftchi" club also wanted to decline the semifinal match.

As Aghaselim Mirjavadov, head coach of "Neftchi" claimed, the experienced head coach valuing Armenians' refusal as cravenness said that RSU was ready to provide all conditions in order for the "Neftchi"-"Punik" match to take place under peaceful atmosphere: "Simply, Armenians proved once more that they are fainthearted. Actually Armenians was afraid of defeat. Because they could not have recovered themselves from previous year's defeat yet".