Sport must not be politicized: Azerbaijan's ruling party official

"Sport should not be politicized. Sport is the arena of peace, friendship and cooperation. Why restrictions were put on flags? How is the decision not to allow the Azerbaijani flag into the stadium so that to satisfy Armenia is appropriate? There is no such ban in the rules. FIFA does not have such rules and this organization prohibits the display of nationalism, fascism and racism. The flag of friendship should be waved in Bursa," Deputy Executive Secretary of the NAP Mubariz Gurbanli said in an interview with the official website of the NAP.

Gurbanli said the "football diplomacy" has become a unique tool for the Turkish-Armenian negotiations.

"Everybody knew that persons loving Azerbaijan were likely to enter the stadium with the Azerbaijani flag in Bursa. However, the Bursa mayor prohibited to carry the Azerbaijani flags to the stadium and it caused anger and irritation among people. The Azerbaijani flag had had to become a symbol of support for Turkey's national team. I believe Turkey's decision was very wrong. When the flag of so-called Nagorno Karabakh Republic was raised in Yerevan, the Turkish side did not express protest. Why they kept silent? Why did not FIFA respond? This flag was the flag of non-recognized separatist and criminal regime," Gurbanli said.

/Trend News/