2024-04-05 03:19:50
Artur Soghomyan, owner of “Pyunik” FC of Yerevan, spoke at a press conference. This is reported by armsport.am.
After the speech of the club president, Yeghishe Melikyan, the head coach of the team, also gave a speech.
“Today you have gathered journalists who think about Armenian football. Our football federation has created an atmosphere of fear among some people, that is why some people are not here today, are not present and do not work transparently. I have been in Armenian football for three years and you have followed me, you know that I am clear and transparent and I have not avoided any questions. I consider myself a strong person and I don’t consider that I do everything correctly, but I do everything clearly. In contrast to the president and vice president of the FFA, who always avoided both journalists’ and my questions. I have had many questions for three years, and I have not received any answers. They can tell me that I am a coach and I just have to do my job. I can say that I am not just a coach. I have been a coach for 10 years, but before that I was in football for 25 years and I was in Armenian football for 15 years and I have the right to express my opinion. Aras Ozilis is a football player and has decided to run for FFA president and wants to change something, I also want to change something as a coach, because I see that many things are not going his way.
They sued me and tried to create an atmosphere of fear. I am ready to fight, but I am not ready to remain silent. I was sued for my healthy criticism, but the disciplinary officer said that I insulted and misbehaved. If I wanted to do something like that, I would choose appropriate words for it.
I said that the federation works illegally and I have evidence, but they don’t sue me for that, but as soon as I say “Seri Cardinal”, they sue me. It is their duty to create equal conditions for the teams, but they are hindering us, disqualifying me, suing me, depriving me of the playing field, suing our president. They work very badly, they do not work transparently. We have an army of fans. They used to be journalists and were lucky enough to interview me, and it worked out well for them, but now they are running a federation, they should be able to do it right. I am very disappointed and I understand that nothing much will change after my speech, because they have power from above and continue their work. I am far from politics and before I did not understand the division between blacks and whites, but now I do. 25 members will elect the president of the FFA, the teams of the Premier League have one vote, and so do the other members.
Sports love results, with great respect to our Prime Minister, who follows the events, now I have a question. After following the work of the FFA leaders for 4 years, can they say where they achieved the result that they should continue their work? What did those people do? I consider this “overwhelming”. There is no explanation,” said Melikyan.