Armenian footballer Styopa Mkrtchyan, currently playing as a center back for Croatian club NK Osijek, will not be traveling to Baku for his team’s UEFA Conference League match against Azerbaijani club Zira.
The decision was made by Osijek’s management, citing safety concerns. The match is the second leg of the UEFA Conference League qualifier against Zira, with the first leg having ended in a 1-1 draw.
The news was reported by sports journalist Suren Meliksetyan.
Mkrtchyan, 21, who also plays for the Armenia national football team, expressed his desire to participate in the match. However, the club decided to exclude him from the trip to ensure his safety, given the potential risks involved. This decision mirrors a similar situation in 2019 when Henrikh Mkhitaryan, then captain of the Armenian national team and a midfielder for Arsenal, withdrew from the Europa League final in Baku due to security concerns.
This highlights the continued challenges Armenian athletes face when competing in Azerbaijan or against Azerbaijani teams.
