Goonersworld

Roycck wrote:

BouncySean wrote:No Miki confirmed:

https://www.arsenal.com/news/henrikh-mk ... ague-final

WTF??????

Let that be a lesson to UEFA to never give major finals to a country that blocks people from certain countries from coming. I'd like to think Gooners going out there will have armenian flags as solidarity.

Horrendous stuff

Shouldn’t be happening in the 21st century

Royal Gooner wrote:

Roycck wrote:

BouncySean wrote:No Miki confirmed:

https://www.arsenal.com/news/henrikh-mk ... ague-final

WTF??????

Let that be a lesson to UEFA to never give major finals to a country that blocks people from certain countries from coming. I'd like to think Gooners going out there will have armenian flags as solidarity.

Let's hope not.

I wouldn't want anyone to put themselves into a position of confrontation with the locals or the authorities. There's the safety element to consider, plus the reputation of the club.

BouncySean wrote:No Miki confirmed:

https://www.arsenal.com/news/henrikh-mk ... ague-final

That's a shame for him.
He's been poor this year so I don't think it's much of a loss, though.
Still UEFA should be taking a look at themselves - their effort to be inclusive has led to a player being excluded. The irony.

Is there anybody interested to attend Europa league final in Baku. I have 3 tickets in 2nd category (centrally) and would like to sell them and to watch final with Arsenal fans! My friends can't go because of already known reasons (trenasport expenses and etc.), and thankfully I will be there!
Please send me message if interested or you know someone who might be interested.
COYG

Royal Gooner wrote: Let that be a lesson to UEFA to never give major finals to a country that blocks people from certain countries from coming. I'd like to think Gooners going out there will have Armenian flags as solidarity.

Whilst it's ridiculous that the final is where it is, it's simply not true that Mkhi is 'blocked' just that he feels justifiably unsafe ... the Azerbaijani hardly put out the welcome mat -

“My message to Mkhitaryan would be: you’re a footballer, you want to play football? Go to Baku you are safe there, if you want to play the issue then that’s a different story. “What I can guarantee is that the Azerbaijan government will do everything what needs to be done and provide safety and security for every fan, player and staff member coming to this game.”

Many Armenians have been to Azerbaijan for sporting events with no issues - European games 2015 had a full Armenian team participating.

Definitely no Armenian flags don't even joke about that ... these boys don't piss around you will be disappeared and possibly not seen again for a very long time ... it happens a lot

Micki would be safe there.... it is EL final... and they had Armenian athletes on European games.
I really don't understand this!

Anybody else read that the authorities are shutting the city centre to the locals from 25-31 May? Could be a quiet few nights if so...

Sims wrote:Horrendous stuff

Shouldn’t be happening in the 21st century

agreed. but human tribalism/primitive ideaologies be strong.

WE’RE OFF TO BAKUUUUU WE’RE ON OUR WAYYYYYY



Just hope this f***ing long winded painful #RoadtoBaku ends with a trophy in our hands

keta23 wrote:Micki would be safe there.... it is EL final... and they had Armenian athletes on European games.
I really don't understand this!

He wouldn't feel safe though, which is just as important

Pudpop wrote:He wouldn't feel safe though, which is just as important

Good job Jesse Owens had a bit more courage than our Mkhi .... this is Mkhi's call and that's right and proper, but let's not try and make him out as some kind of hero, he's looking after himself and not his teammates, it's just very sad that's he's felt the need to do that ...

EliteKiller wrote:

Pudpop wrote:He wouldn't feel safe though, which is just as important

Good job Jesse Owens had a bit more courage than our Mkhi .... this is Mkhi's call and that's right and proper, but let's not try and make him out as some kind of hero, he's looking after himself and not his teammates, it's just very sad that's he's felt the need to do that ...

Correct.

I think it's a political decision from Mkhitaryan. Probably in league with the Armenian authorities, and designed to cast a shadow over the EL final in Azerbaijan.

Phil71 wrote:I think it's a political decision from Mkhitaryan. Probably in league with the Armenian authorities, and designed to cast a shadow over the EL final in Azerbaijan.

Could very well be.