Arsenal fans launch petition to move Europa League final to Wembley from ‘unsafe’ Baku
Fuming Arsenal fans have started a petition to get the Europa League final moved from Baku to Wembley.
Armenian forward Henrikh Mkhitaryan decided to stay at home over fear he could be targeted because of the long conflict between his country and Azerbaijan, The Sun reports.
Fans of both Arsenal and Chelsea were already angry the final was being held in Azerbaijan, a nation nearly 3,000 miles away and barely in Europe, and that they would be allocated only 6,000 tickets each.
But the petition, set up by an Arsenal fan, has called on fans of both the Gunners and Blues to sign.
It reads: "In addition to the numerous & unprecedented logistical issues that have precluded a majority of fans from both Arsenal & Chelsea from attending the Europa League Final, Uefa's decision to host the match in Baku, Azerbaijan, is one that has forced Arsenal’s Armenian international Henrikh Mkhitaryan to be left out of the North London side’s squad, for fear of bodily harm stemming from Armenia and Azerbaijan‘s century-long violent conflict.
"This decision by Uefa is one that unabashedly prioritises profit over the sanctity of the beautiful game & the safety of its players; and while recognisably unrealistic, this petition calls for Uefa to recognise the nefarious effects of their decision, & sanction of move of the Final from Baku to London’s Wembley Stadium.
"By signing this petition, you will be taking a stand in solidarity with the fans of Arsenal & Chelsea, Mkhitaryan, and the game of football itself.
"#BoycottBaku."
The hashtag 'BoycottBaku' has seen many thousands of replies since Arsenal announced that Mkhitaryan would not be travelling to the game.
Arsenal are now set to meet Uefa with managing director Vinai Venkatesham calling the situation "unacceptable".
Related news
- Arsenal and Chelsea fail to sell half their tickets for Europa League final
- Arsenal players told to boycott Chelsea Europa League final over Henrikh Mkhitaryan issue
- Mkhitaryan to miss Europa League final
- Henrikh Mkhitaryan given Europa League safety assurances by Azerbaijan's UK ambassador