It is easy to criticise clubs, players, and coaches in football. However, this time the spotlight should be on the stands.

The number of fans attending the matches of the country’s two biggest clubs — Qarabag, who pride themselves on their championship status, and Neftchi, who do not want to lose their lead — is disappointing.

Qarabag has been the most successful club in the country for years, proudly representing Azerbaijan on European stages. However, the successful team should not normalise fans only coming to the stadium on important victory days. The mere 1,536 attendees at a home match against their rivals shows that supporters have become so accustomed to success that they now consider victory a given.

Now to Neftchi. 3,275 fans is far too few for a club with a rich history and a fanbase fighting for the top spot. The white-blacks have complained for years that the team is not performing at the required level. Now that the team is in good form, the stands remain empty. The club feels its true strength when fans stand by them not only at the top but also during challenging years.