Domenti Sichinava, president of Georgian Football Federation, held a press conference on Mikheil Meskhi stadium and stated that 11 clubs want to participate in the next national championship and only the issue of “Zestafoni” is to be decided.
“There were some talks that the clubs were going to hold sabotage but the federation received letters from those clubs which will participate in the championship. 11 clubs confirmed that they will play but “Zestafoni” will participate only if it is financed. Supreme League will have 12 clubs again. The information about the increase up to 16 or 18 clubs is not true. The executive committee will be held next week. The schedule will be made and it will be sent to the clubs. The championship will start on August 4 or 10.
As for futsal, the federation has spent 811944 GEL and 22 tetris in futsal for 3 years. As for the statement of Kakha Devdariani that I threatened somebody on October 15, 2009, I want to say that time I was sitting and counting debts of GFF. In 2009 the previous president of Futsal Association finished his term and the elections were to be held. But the elections were held in 2010. Beka Kvitsiani took the report of the executive committee on the elections. As for Kvitsiani, he would better do his business. He would better make accent on the work of Futsal Association. I have nothing against Devdariani but in 2009 when he held the championship, we supported him and the finances prove it.
…as for the letter of Zhordania, I thank Mr. Merab for his evaluation. He approves the work of GFF. I met him in Belgium when the elite round of U-19 teams was held. He confirmed that we do what is necessary for the Georgian football.
…I have never been in any political party. Unfortunately, Georgia does not like successful people. The federation proved that it is apolitical for 3 years and 5 months.
…Unfortunately, we do not have any evidence to prove arranged matches. It was said that all clubs participate in the arranged matches. We are ready to be questioned.
There are always talks about the last matches of the season. No one talks about the first matches that they were arranged”, - added Sichinava.
Revaz Arveladze, general secretary of GFF, also attended the press conference. He stated: “11 clubs are ready to participate in the championship. “Zestafoni” will participate if it gets finances. The formula of the championship will be the same”.
Arveladze mentioned Ketsbaia and Kenia. Kenia has criticized Ketsbaia in Georgian press lately.
Revaz Arveladze: “We do not say that we are satisfied with the results against Ireland and Denmark. As for the relationship between Kenia and Ketsbaia, everything must not be said. The national team played with one forward in two matches. Besides Gelashvili, Sirbiladze and Dvalishvili were called up for the national team. Kenia can state that the national team must not play with one forward. I cannot say there is conflict between Ketsbaia and Kenia. Believe me, if it is necessary to call up Kenia, Ketsbaia will call him up”.
Arveladze also mentioned the issue about the extension of the contract with Ketsbaia:
“We did not have illusion to take the first place in this group. We had a great desire and did our best but we had two tough opponents in the group. We will analyze the result. As I know, Ketsbaia has contract for another 2 years and several months”.
Sichinava mentioned that the licensing process will be strict in the next season: “When the schedule will be sent to the clubs, we will check out the clubs and if they do not satisfy the licenses, they will not play on their fields. They can hire the stadium which will satisfy these terms. We want the stadium to have good shower, internet, press box and others”. Sichinava also mentioned that “Borjomi”, “Saburtalo” and “Dila-2” Gori want to play in First League. According to him, the format of First League will be the same.
Lasha Tabagari
