Arsenal star Henrikh Mkhitaryan will miss UEFA Europa League final to be played in the capital city of Azerbaijan, Baku, on May 29.
Armenian international has made a final decision not to travel to Baku with teammates due to political issues between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
“It‘s the kind of game that doesn’t come along very often for us players and I must admit, it hurts me a lot to miss it.I will be cheering my teammates on! Let’s bring it home” Mkhitaryan wrote on Twitter earlier today.
Football world is shocked as UEFA did not manage to organize the security of Armenia national team captain.
Football pundits have mocked European Football Association for their behavior in this situation.
Gary Lineker had a two-word response on the situation: “Good Heavens”
Good heavens: https://t.co/PjEIkljyIr
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) May 21, 2019
Piers Morgan thought one tweet was not enough to describe this ridiculous situation.
“Substitute ‘Messi’ or ‘Ronaldo’ for ‘Mkhitaryan’ – still think we’d even be having this debate?
UEFA would move the final.” Morgan wrote on Twitter.
“You have many Armenian fans, @ChelseaFC – are you going to stand by & do nothing about this @HenrikhMkh situation??????
If both teams refuse to play in Baku, @UEFA will have to move the game.”
“Seriously, Arsenal fans?
We’re going to leave our man behind because he’s Armenian?
This is a total disgrace.
We must all boycott the game until @UEFA move it.
“UEFA should move the Europa League Final to Wembley. Now.
“I would rather @Arsenal pull out of the Europa League Final than for @HenrikhMkh to be left behind for ‘security reasons’.
This is an absolute disgrace entirely of @UEFA‘s making.” Morgan added.
I would rather @Arsenal pull out of the Europa League Final than for @HenrikhMkh to be left behind for 'security reasons'.
This is an absolute disgrace entirely of @UEFA's making.— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) May 21, 2019
Oliver Harboard, Football London
From @jamesbenge, Arsenal confirm that Henrikh Mkhitaryan will not travel with Arsenal for the Europa League final against Chelsea over security concerns in Baku. A ridiculous situation. #cfc https://t.co/yLEvNdKkSz
— Oliver Harbord (@ojharbord) May 21, 2019
Samuel Luckhurst, Manchester Evening News
Regardless of whether Mkhitaryan is a Europa League specialist or a squad player, this is despicable and inhumane. A travesty Baku is hosting https://t.co/fz2c2B1Sv6
— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) May 21, 2019
Chris Wheatley, D2S
'Everyone should be able to enjoy football. No matter who you are, where you're from or how you play. That's Equal Game.' pic.twitter.com/YuSujDSYhd
— Chris Wheatley (@ChrisWheatley_) May 21, 2019
Nick Bright, BBC
Would be great if both teams just boycotted this joke of a final
— Nick Bright (@NickBrightDJ) May 21, 2019
Shazi, Power FM 98.7
Let’s win it for him then!
— Shazi (@NkosinathiShazi) May 21, 2019
Ruben Uria, Goal, beIN Sports
Alucinando bastante con lo de Henrikh Mkhitaryan. Es terrible que esto pase en pleno 2019. En su día, el mismo jugador ya se perdió el partido Qarabag-Arsenal de la fase de grupos por el mismo motivo. De locos.https://t.co/2B0wxB6dZ0 en @Goal_en_espanol
— Rubén Uría (@rubenuria) May 21, 2019
Wyre Davis, BBC
Pretty shocking & unacceptable that #Arsenal's Henrikh Mkhitaryan – from #Armenia – will not be able to play in the #EuropaLeagueFinal in #Azerbaijan, because of concerns over his safety. Any thoughts, #UEFA #FIFA? https://t.co/CRO0rpZb7I
— Wyre Davies (@WyreDavies) May 21, 2019
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