The main hopes were that Qarabag would qualify for the group stage of the Euroleague and finally advance to the next stage, which was not achieved. The weakness of the staff, the fact that we were right on the eve of the game with Molde, the decision was in favor of the Norwegians, the club was fined for the status of Nurlan Ibrahimov, Neftchi was sent to the break as a "winter champion" - these and other questions needed to be answered.

Offshideplus.az's interviewer on Qarabag was the general director of the club Emrah Celikel.

- We are about to finish the year. How do you assess 2020 for Qarabag?

- Like everyone, it was a very difficult year for us. The coronavirus has had a difficult time for each of us, including our team. Speaking of the results, I consider the coming year to be successful for Karabakh. Of course, it could be better. But against the background of so many problems and difficulties, the results must be considered successful.

- It is an undeniable fact that Qarabag does not have enough staff to leave the Euroleague group. In the absence of suspended, injured and sick players, head coach Gurban Gurbanov had difficulty in selecting staff. Don't you think that a stronger team should have been formed?

- The team is entrusted to Gurban Gurbanov, whom we all know, whose work ability and humanity we know. The victim knows what the teacher is doing. It is normal and understandable to have different opinions.

- It is clear that you trust Gurban Gurbanov and that the head coach is responsible for the team. The "soul" of my question was different. Was there a budget limit for the head coach in terms of forming the necessary staff or not?

- We have always been with Gurban Muallim, and we will continue to be so.

- Does this mean that the players that the head coach wanted were brought?

- We have not already said "no" to our head coach. On the contrary, his decisions are always supported and respected.

- At the time of the new coronavirus outbreak, the club's vice-president Tahir Gozel said that the situation would have a negative impact on the budget. What was the effect?

- I remember Tahir Bey's statement. Thankfully, the management always supports the team and gives the necessary support. There were no problems this year either. The statement was made in connection with the global impact of the coronavirus. However, if this continues, the budget is expected to increase. Not only in our country, but in every field.

- Was there a budget deficit in 2020?

- No, no.

- Is the budget reduction for 2021 expected?

- Frankly, we did not have a final conversation about it. But what happened is in front of everyone's eyes. It is not only about Karabakh. If this continues, it will affect not only football, but also other areas. A reduction in the budget and the transition to more austerity are inevitable.

- Let's return to the eve of the game Qarabag - "Molde". Although the meeting with the Norwegians was to take place in Baku, the match was played on a neutral field due to the stubbornness and cunning of the other side. Do you think Qarabag lost in this case?

- I would not say that. It was UEFA's decision, whether we liked it or not, we must respect it. Molde should have come here, but a different decision was made. Of course, it was difficult for us. The issue you mentioned was a manifestation of the decision taken by the Norwegian state.

- I am interested in the known status of Nurlan Ibrahimov and your attitude to the decision made by UEFA.

- There is no need to talk much about Nurlan's human and professional qualities, as well as our attitude to him. But if we have to talk only about that issue, my position is that it was not right to write those words at such a sensitive time. Strict words were used in the article. What is written there is not and cannot be the position of Qarabag. As you know, the club was fined a large sum for that status. What was written about children, women and the elderly in that status was not true at that time. I know that Nurlan did not write it in vain, many reasons compelled him. What people don't like is that Nurlan is not human in the nature of what is written there. It was just emotional behavior. Now both Nurlan and the club are taking the necessary steps to protect their rights.

- Put yourself in Nurlan's place for a moment. Would you take such a step in the heat of war?

- I understand Nurlan. But if I were in his place, I would be able to control my emotions at that moment. Personally, I would not act like Nurlan. That status was a blow to Qarabag in the international arena, and our enemies abused it. We must accept this. We all see how Qarabag has been behaving in the international arena for many years, and with what results it is remembered. Moreover, we must consider the policy of President Ilham Aliyev here. In each of his speeches, the President noted that the Azerbaijani-Armenian war was fought between the armies of the two countries, emphasizing that it was wrong to include civilians here. As a club, we always support the policy of Mr. President and try to do our best to introduce the name of Qarabag to the world. That status was Nurlan's position, not the club's. Karabakh's position is humanistic. Of course,

- Let's answer this question with the advice of an older brother. What should Nurlan do now?

- In spite of everything, we are with Nurlan. I'm not saying we justify this status. We are there just because we believe we are emotional. As for your question, Nurlan should look for his right as a club.

- You have hired a lawyer to reduce the fine. Is he Azerbaijani or a foreigner?

- It's Turkish.

- Kurur Qaye Gunal?

- Yes.

- It is obvious that UEFA has a stepfather attitude towards Qarabag. Years ago, Richard Almeida's clean sheet was not taken into account and that referee soon took control of the game. Silent overcoming Armenian provocations in London and Luxembourg. The Molde issue we mentioned earlier. Finally, the decision was made on the status of Nurlan Ibrahimov. Do you feel the coldness of UEFA?

- Can be. It could be a group against us or something else. In this case, the only thing we can do is to seek our rights, to go to the end.

- As if. Qarabag cannot defend its rights, it is difficult to do so. Or is it because we are not recognized as a football country?

- Thankfully, we are known as a football country.

- In any case, in the eyes of UEFA, we are not as good as Italy, Norway and England.

- I state categorically that we have followed the truth to the end in all matters we do not agree with. You say the referee made a mistake in the game with Inter. After that mistake, it was not possible to reschedule the game or change the final result. If "Inter" had the most famous team in front of "Inter" that day, the result would not have changed. I agree, some decisions are tough, or we do not make the right. But within the legal framework, we have no choice but to send a letter of complaint and abide by the final decision. Because in the end, UEFA's position is valid.

- These are known issues. I am trying to find an answer to the question "Is the stepfatherhood against Qarabag true?" What do you see as the reason?

- I would not say that there is a cold, I can not say. We are members of UEFA and are subject to them. In case of disagreement with the decision, we appeal to each of the necessary instances.

- It is said that foreign clubs, especially Spaniards, are interested in Mahir Emreli from time to time. Has the club received a letter in this regard?

- Mahir is a talented footballer, he has potential, he is always working on himself. We hope that one day he will live the life of a legionnaire. However, we have not received an official offer regarding Mahir.

- What about other players?

- No, it did not happen.

- Neftchi, which played one game more thanQarabag, went to the winter break in the first place. Does this point bother you?

- As you said, we played less than 1 game. In addition, only 13 rounds took place. Every manager, employee, coach, player wants to win. Of course, it is worrying. But the struggle is ahead. This is the pandemic that worries us the most at the moment. We are thinking about when we will get rid of the trouble of Neftchi's leadership.

- You know why I asked this question. Last season ended in the 20th round, and the champion was announced ahead of schedule. Given that the next wave of viruses is coming, the same thing will be inevitable. Neftchi's current leadership means a possible championship.

- As far as I know, at least 51% of the games must be completed in order to finish the championship early. For this, at least 15 rounds must be held. Until then, we have time. Our main goal is to properly represent the names of Azerbaijan and Qarabag in Europe. It's football, it's a competition, anything can happen. I hope that in the end the deserving team will be the champion.

HABIB