Arsenal fans in Mkhitaryan shirts stopped for their safety by Baku police, Azerbaijan ambassador tells talkSPORT

Janet February 19, 2021
Arsenal fans in Mkhitaryan shirts stopped for their safety by Baku police, Azerbaijan ambassador tells talkSPORT
Arsenal fans wearing Henrikh Mkhitaryan shirts on the streets of Baku were stopped by police for their own safety, the Azerbaijan ambassador to the UK told talkSPORT.The police force in the Azerbaijani capital have been criticised for their apparent poor treatment of some supporters in the build-up to Wednesday’s Europa League final against Chelsea.Arsenal fans wearing Mkhitaryan shirts have been stopped in the streets of Baku@SNTVSTORY ON TWITTER3
Arsenal fans wearing Mkhitaryan shirts have been stopped in the streets of Baku
Complaints poured in over social media after a video was posted online showing officers stopping two fans who wore Arsenal shirts with Mkhitaryan printed on the back.It led to suggestions the police are actively trying to get Mkhitaryan shirts off the streets after the Armenian midfielder refused to travel to Azerbaijan for the match.
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But Tahir Taghizade insisted the exchange was good-natured and supporters were only stopped for a brief discussion with the police about their safety.Speaking to talkSPORT host Jim White on Wednesday morning, the ambassador explained: There are two versions of this video.There is an edited version when they approach them, and there is a full version where they approach them, chat with them for ten seconds and make a couple of calls on their radios and then let them go.It was quite amicable on both sides.Arsenal fans are in Baku ahead of the Europa League final against Chelsea@SNTVSTORY ON TWITTER3
Arsenal fans are in Baku ahead of the Europa League final against Chelsea
The law enforcement officers were just trying to make sure nobody approaches these people, because the sentiments are there and they wanted to make sure these people are safe.I dont think there has been any incidents so far and hopefully there will be none.Asked, then, if Arsenal fans in Baku are at liberty to wear Mkhitaryan shirts in Baku, he replied: Absolutely!Anything that does not violate the laws and normal rules of human behaviour I think is welcome in Baku.”Mkhitaryan has not travelled with the Arsenal squad and will play no part in the final in Baku due to the conflict and political tensions between Azerbaijan and his home country of Armenia.The Gunners released a statement explaining that the midfielder felt uncomfortable about making the trip, although Taghizade previously told talkSPORT there were ‘no issues whatsoever to prevent him from playing in the final.Mkhitaryan will not play the final due Armenia and Azerbaijan’s long-running conflictGetty Images - Getty3
Mkhitaryan will not play the final due Armenia and Azerbaijan’s long-running conflict
UEFA have faced heavy criticism for their decision to host the Europa League final in Azerbaijan, and they have also been slammed after it emerged they had blocked Arsenals plans to show support to Mkhitaryan in the build-up of the game.They cannot, however, stop supporters from paying tribute to their absent star.But, in response to the suggestion some fans may deliberately wear the Armenian stars shirt to stir up trouble in Baku, Taghizade added: It is true there is still conflict [between Armenia and Azerbaijan].But whatever the reasons are, if the provocations are limited to wearing Mkhitaryan shirts, so be it.Hopefully this will be ok and so far it has been OK, unless it does not go any further.I do hope it will not go any further. I hope there will be no physical altercations between the two clubs and, from what I hear, the law enforcement will be doing their utmost to be as tactful and unimposing as possible.
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