Open Letter

Joseph Blatter, President of FIFA
Michel Platini, President of UEFA

Dear Sirs,

We are writing this letter on behalf of football fans of Armenia, who are concerned about the future of the Armenian football. Although, as noted in FIFA and UEFA regulations, football organizations should promote principles of unity and solidarity, some recent actions of the Armenian Football Association have sown discord within the football community of Armenia and threaten to alienate many from their favorite game. 

Football cannot exist without its spectators, and yet many Armenian fans are in danger of turning away, not because of football itself, but as a result of developments related to February 2008 presidential elections.

The successful games of the Armenian national team with Poland, Portugal and Serbia in 2007 within the Euro 2008 tournament boosted the interest in football in Armenia and raised hopes that Armenian football might play an important role in European and worldwide competitions. The football fan community of Armenia started to praise the policies implemented by Armenian Football Federation (AFF) President Ruben Hayrapetian, which were widely believed to have strengthened the ties of the community with the AFF and stimulated the development of football in the country.

Yet recently, Ruben Hayrapetyan declared, probably under severe pressure, that the AFF building would host the headquarters of the electoral campaign of incumbent Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan in the 2008 presidential race. This was a shock for thousands of football fans, and it produced cracks in the newly built solidarity. 

Of course, Mr. Hayrapetyan’s has the full right to support his preferred candidate for president.  However, this must not be done at the cost of turning over the premises of the AFF, which belong to football fans of all political affiliations, to one candidate. The solidarity of the football community of Armenia has been undermined by this move. 

We do not want to see football entwined with politics in this country. We ask you to address the matter, and hope that in making your decision you will not be affected by your personal relationship with Mr. Hayrapetyan. We believe that football must be kept apart from politics; otherwise the passion of a hundred thousand fans for the game, which both you and we love so much, will be shaken.